Special
Event Stories
Scramble for a Cure (Cure PH) Golf Tournament
By Sarah Morris, PHA Web Intern
The 1st Annual Scramble for a Cure (Cure PH) Golf Tournament was held Saturday, April 18, 2009 on the Palm Course at Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. This golf event was held in memory of Heather Massey, who passed away in a few years ago as a result of pulmonary hypertension at the young age of 28. Her boyfriend of 3 ½ years and Golf Tournament coordinator, Jack Nino, thought holding this tournament would be a great way to honor her memory and to help raise awareness of the disease. Along with golfing, this event offered a luncheon, a ball drop, silent auction, raffle and music.
Jack Nino’s commitment to the PHA cause first started when he attended PHA’s 2002 International Conference. His girlfriend Heather Massey was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in late 2000 and died shortly thereafter in 2002. They both had planned to attend the Conference together and Heather was really excited about it. After she died, Jack wanted to carry on her wish and attended the Conference by himself. Jack has volunteered at every conference since 2002 but said he “felt that I could be doing something more than just volunteering a couple days every other year.”
“An entire generation of PHA staffers now knows him,” said Rino Aldrighetti, PHA President. “Jack does not attend sessions [at Conference] but instead volunteers at the PHA store or talks to other caregivers. Our PHA staff knows him well and appreciates all the help he gives us.”
From caregiver to volunteer to inspirational event planner, Jack epitomizes the concept of putting hope into action. He plans to make this golf tournament an annual event for the community.
