Pulmonary Hypertension Association

By Judith Palmer

Kathleen, Judith, Dagny and Lori Palmer at the 5th Kipp Palmer Memorial Tournament for PPH on Friday, June 25, 2004.

Seventy-seven golfers turned out at the Crossgates Golf Course in Millersville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Friday, June 25, 2004, to remember Kipp Palmer, as well as to raise money for advocacy and research of this disease. Kipp passed away as a result of PPH July 4, 1999; as in years past, Kipp’s family and friends came from all across the country and were a great support.
Once again, $7,000 was earned as a result of this event. Joel Langdon was Coordinator, along with Judith Palmer, Kipp’s widow. Kipp’s son, Todd Palmer, who owns an advertising agency near Philadelphia, called Virtual Farm Creative, who maintained the website and provided both the signs and wonderfully designed programs.

Kathleen (Kipp’s mom) and Judith Palmer (Kipp’s wife), Joel Langdon (Tournament Coordinator), and Lori Palmer (Kipp’s daughter-in-law) getting registration and raffle tickets ready for the event.

Handling registrations was Lucy Toriello and raffle ticket sales were done by Kathleen Palmer, Kipp’s mother (New York). Kipp’s sister, Cher Palmer Rowe (Sarasota, FL), and son, Grant (San Francisco), were present to help with foursome pictures and prizes. Kipp's daughter, Kimberly Palmer Garcia and her husband Hector were also supportive with prize donations. Kipp’s daughter-in-law, Lori Palmer, with grandchildren Tucker (10) and Dagny (5) were participated by drawing the raffle tickets.

Dr. David Loss, Kipp’s heart doctor from the Heart Group in Lancaster, found time again this year to show his support. When he was thanked for attending and being supportive, he said that Kipp was not just a patient, but had become a friend. Kipp’s doctor at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, was Dr. Sean Gaine, who has since moved across seas and was, therefore, unable to participate.

For the third year, Lancaster County Motors donated a car – a 2004 Subaru Legacy Wagon – for the hole-in-one contest. The event has shown continued growth over the past five years, with 33 hole sponsors this year!

Hopefully this event not only raises money, but raises awareness of this terminal heart / lung disease. More people die from pulmonary hypertension than we realize. Often it is diagnosed as a heart problem until we look back and think of the symptoms. It IS an invisible disease. It is the other high blood pressure!

Joel Langdon – Coordinator of the 5th Kipp Palmer Memorial Tournamet – with golfers Dave Yanovitz of Maryland and Grant Palmer of California. Dagny B. Palmer (5) standing by sign, “Remember Kipp.” Dagny was born just four months before her grandfather died. Kipp’s youngest sister Cher Palmer Rowe of Sarasota, Florida; Kipp’s granddaughter (5) Dagny B. Palmer; and Kipp’s daughter-in-law Lori B. Palmer. Judith Palmer with granddaughter Dagny and daughter-in-law Lori.	Accredo Pharmaceuticals Foursome: Amber Griffin; Matt Dorr; Jim Kelly; Otto Graham. At age 10, Tucker B. Palmer was the youngest golfer at the 5th Kipp Palmer Memorial Tournament. Listening to the beginning instructions of the day: Grant, Judy, Lori, and Dagny Palmer; Allison Eichenlaub; Donna Porter; Emily and Elizabeth Eichenlaub. Sponsor sign - Kipp was a State Farm agent for 23 years.
Kipp’s mother, Kathleen Palmer, with oldest grandson, Todd Palmer.	Kathleen Palmer, Kipp’s mother (88), sells raffle tickets each year. Her three grandchildren – Todd, Grant and Kimberly – attended, along with great grandchildren Dagny (5) and Tucker (10).
*Young and old alike come to play:*
Shawn Fawber Foursome. Kipp used to watch Shawn (second from right) play high school football.	Charles Eichmann Foursome, who have played each year since seeing the story in the paper the first year.

Special Events - Fifth Kipp Palmer Memorial Tournament Played