Janine Marnien
Justin Siegan and Ileana Geestman met at the City of Hope when he
was undergoing treatment for aplastic anemia, a potentially
life-threatening disease where bone marrow doesn't produce blood
cells.
Geestman wanted to do something to help the 15-year-old from Santa
Clarita, so she invited him to play at the third annual Desi Geestman
Golf Tournament on Friday as a guest after learning of his love for
golf.
"When she told me, I was like, 'cool,'" Justin said. "But I'm not
playing my best game today."
His condition is improving, he said. He has gone from receiving
treatment at the hospital to taking medication for the next six
months to continue to fight the disease.
"We wanted him to be able to forget about it for a day," Geestman
said.
Geestman started the foundation after her daughter, Desi,
succumbed to cancer in 1999. The bulk of the money it raises from
donations and fund-raisers like the golf tournament goes to helping
children and families at City of Hope.
Organizers hoped to raise at least $50,000 with this year's
tournament, and were on their way with a 30% increase in number of
golfers from last year.
"The thing that's nice about this tournament is that it's not one
corporation writing one really big check," said Rick Dinger,
co-chairman of the event. "Everybody in the community is giving
little bits. The response has been overwhelming, it makes La
Crescenta a great place."
Last year, the tournament raised about $25,000 with 97 golfers.
This year, 133 people signed up to golf.
After playing 18 holes of golf at the Brookside Golf Course in
Pasadena, participants attended a banquet themed "An Evening in
Spain," which included a live flamenco performance.
