By Sherry Tucker
Demetri Kotsovolos was a natural on the golf course, becoming highly ranked in the state at the age of five. Shortly after, his family’s world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He endured three years of treatment, a relapse and an additional two years of intense treatment before being declared cancer free. Through it all, he continued to pursue his passion of playing golf when he could find the strength.
“We assisted Demetri and his family during the first year of our foundation. Last year, Demetri and his family wanted to give back to our foundation by challenging golfers to beat his shot at our annual golf scramble,” said Dirk Tucker, Director at Giving Hope through Faith Foundation.
“He helped us to raise many dollars and, more importantly, truly inspired all of our participants with his skill and determination. In the past six years over 340 families have received support and the need continues to grow,” states Tucker.
‘Giving Hope though Faith’ provides families that face the challenges of cancer diagnosis with encouragement and love. The goal is to provide a year of monetary and spiritual support to as many Tampa area families as possible. In many cases the families depend on the support from the foundation to help cover basic necessities. Due to the increasing costs of medical care and limited resources offering either financial or spiritual support, the foundation’s monthly packages provide much needed support.
In order to continue to provide this help, the foundation is hosting the eighth annual Zach Tucker Golf Scramble. The scramble will be held on Friday, May 10, with a 1 p.m. shotgun start at River Hills Country Club. Many sponsorship opportunities are available for all levels of participation. “We have received amazing support from the Brandon community each year of the event. We are hoping this year is no different.”
For more information please call Sherry or Dirk Tucker at 685-6773 or visit the foundation at www.givinghopethroughfaith.org
