Golf tournament to help local boy
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Kevin Cordasco

Over the past year the local community has banded together to support a young boy in his fight against cancer. Next month, those wishing to help Kevin Cordasco, an 11-year-old battling neuroblastoma (cancer of the nervous system), can pitch in by playing a round of golf.

The Kevin Cordasco Courage Strength Believe Golf Tournament, organized by the local Talbert Family Foundation, will be held at the Calabasas Country Club on Sept. 24.

"Kevin is a hometown kid; they are the hometown course and they are happy to be involved," said Cordasco's father, also named Kevin.

The tourney will include a putting contest, a barbecue dinner and a live and silent auction before "Monday Night Football" kicks off.

Cost is $250 per player or $60 for dinner only. Julie Talbert, cofounder of the foundation, said they are hoping for 144 golfers, or 36 foursomes. But of course, she said, "the more the merrier."

The tournament, originally scheduled for the end of August at a Simi Valley course, was recently relocated. Talbert said the delay could mean a visit from Kevin.

"Now that it's a month later, hopefully little Kevin will be able to come out and actually be there," Talbert said. "If it was at the end of the month, I think he'd probably still be in the hospital."

Kevin is currently undergoing a stem cell transplant after a month of chemotherapy and highdose radiation. He has been at Children's Hospital L.A. for much of July and August.

"He is fighting hard while he goes through this critical part of his treatment," said Kevin's dad. "We hope to have him home soon."

All the tournament proceeds will go to the Cordasco family.

"We are very (proud) of the fact that 100 percent of the monies received, all the net money, will go to the family," Talbert said. "We don't keep anything. We are strictly a facilitator for the families."

Volunteers are needed to help in many areas. If interested, please contact John Cayne at jcayne@idmediaww.com.

For more information on the tournament, or to sign up, visit www.talbertfamilyfoundation.org.