The Swing to Cure Diabetes golf fundraiser, a spring tradition at the University of Michigan Golf Course for more than 10 years, has reached a milestone, surpassing the $1 million mark following the latest event on June 13.
“With everyone’s help and generosity, we raised over $132,000 to jointly benefit JDRF and the University of Michigan Diabetes Center,” Varnum partner and event founder, Rich Hewlett, said in a letter to event supporters. “Together with our prior outings, you have helped raise over $1 million in the effort to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.”
The 12th annual event sold out with 147 golfers, as well others who attended in support of the fundraising for research effort. As in past years, there was a strong showing by Michigan football including alumni John and Jared Wangler, Jeff Cohen and Joe Hewlett, and current players Jake Moody, Mazi Smith, Blake Corum, Andrel Anthony and Erick All.
The event also included a dinner and auction, with items focused on University of Michigan football. Among the dinner speakers were Peter Arvan, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes (MEND) at the University of Michigan, and Scott Soleimanpour, M.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Director for T1D Basic Research in the University of Michigan Caswell Diabetes Institute.
Hewlett remarked on the fortunate proximity to the cutting-edge research being done at the university.
“Financial contributions to Swing to Cure Diabetes support vital research projects in our state, particularly at the University of Michigan,” he said. “There has never been a time when JDRF and UM have made such incredible strides in research in an effort to cure Type 1 diabetes.”
Swing to Cure was founded by Hewlett and his late wife, Chris, in 2008. The couple began raising money for juvenile diabetes research after their son, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a youngster. Hewlett, a former U-M football player, has been supported by former teammates and coaches, colleagues and friends throughout the event’s history.
Major sponsors of this year’s event included Varnum LLP, Rich Hewlett Family, McNaughton-McKay Electric Company, Keefe Brooks of Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco PLLC, Whaley Steel Corporation, University of Michigan Health-Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Jeff Hewlett of Clark Hill PLC and Van Conway & Partners.