WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- The Israel Cancer Association USA (ICA USA) raised nearly $50,000 to support new cancer-research breakthroughs at its inaugural charity Golf Classic 2010 at Banyan Golf Club in West Palm Beach on April 8.
 

“The generous backing from our players and sponsors enabled us to bring in enough funds to support two fellowships for specific Israeli scientists working on important cancer research projects,” said Harvey L. Poppel, co-chair of the event.
 

Ninety-two golfers participated in the ICA USA “Pitch in for Cancer Research” event and took part in several competitions such as a Hole-In-One contest for $10,000 and a putting contest for $2,500. Prizes were awarded to 10 golfers that beat the pro for closest-to-the pin, and each of four players who pitched-in from off the green received a dozen Titleist PRO V1 golf balls. Also, prizes went to golfers with the lowest gross and net best-ball scores and to those shooting closest to the pin on each of the par 3’s.
 

ICA USA is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization established in Palm Beach to raise money for fellowships that support cancer research conducted by distinguished scientists at 38 hospitals, universities and institutions in Israel.

Some of the ICA-funded discoveries include: developing the science that enables bone-marrow transplantations from non-compatible donors for treatment of leukemia and immune system malfunctions; finding a non-invasive method of detection to distinguish between cancerous tumors and benign lumps; and developing therapies for cervical cancer.
 

One past ICA USA donor provided the seed money for Aaron Ciechanover, who went on to win the Nobel Prize for Medicine.
 

The ICA USA Golf Classic 2010 Co-Chairmen were Roy Apple, Dianne Meckler and Harvey L. Poppel. The Golf Committee included Roger Benjamin, Nancy Berkley, Peter Brown, David Cohen, Ken Druskin, Lee Goldstein, Helen Hoffman, Fran Kittredge, David Markin, Enid Rogow, Jeremy Schneider and Jerome Weinberger.
 

Local business sponsors of this event included Braman Motorcars, The Breakers, Bruce Gendelman Insurance Services, Cristina Condon of Sotheby’s, David Morris Jewelers, ETC, Gabelli Funds, Armstrong Landscape Design Group and ESPN 760.