Press Release

Weichert, Realtors® Eighth Annual Golf Outing Continues Support for Cause Close to Home

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. – For the eighth straight year, Weichert, Realtors will host its annual charity golf outing to benefit the American Cancer Society and breast cancer research. The event, which will take place on Thursday, August 21, will once again be held at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster, N.J. 

As in the past, the golf event will give participants a chance to enjoy some outdoor recreation with colleagues and friends. More importantly, it provides a tremendous vehicle to raise much needed awareness and support for a cause that unfortunately hits close to home with more and more Americans these days – breast cancer.  

Weichert, Realtors is no exception. Over the years, many of the company’s sales associates and employees have dealt with the devastating affects of breast cancer personally, while others have watched as family members and friends battled the disease.

“With one out of every seven women getting breast cancer, it’s an unfortunate reality that this disease will touch all of our lives in some way, shape or form,” said Jacelyn Botti, Head of Residential Sales for Weichert, Realtors. “We started our annual golf outing several years ago as a way to honor and support the breast cancer victims and survivors from the Weichert family and the millions of others like them.” 

Barbara Gellman, a sales associate from the Weichert Roxbury office, is one such survivor.  In fact, Botti cites Gellman as her inspiration for establishing the annual golf outing eight years ago.  Gellman is a four-time survivor of breast cancer who was first diagnosed and treated for the disease in 1981 and then most recently in 2006.

Gellman stressed the importance of supporting those afflicted with breast cancer, both on the personal level and in terms of the greater cause. “The support I got from Weichert, from my office colleagues to the company management including Jim Weichert himself, has been incredibly important.  As a survivor, keeping a positive attitude is critical and it really inspires you to know you have so many people in your corner pulling for you.”

As important as the emotional support is for breast cancer victims, the fundraising through events such as the Weichert golf outing to aid research is equally important. 

“The drugs I am taking now weren’t available five years ago.  People need to know that their support is making a difference. New research is leading to breakthrough techniques, new medications and helping women with breast cancer live longer,” added Gellman.

One recent breast cancer survivor who has benefited from the progress made through research supported by events like the Weichert golf event is Laura Metro, executive assistant to Botti at Weichert, Realtors.

Metro, who has worked on the organizing committee for the golf outing for a number of years, was shocked when she first learned she had breast cancer. “I really didn’t think it could happen to me. There was no history of breast cancer in my family.  Luckily, we caught it early and because the treatments available today are better thanks to all the research that has been done, my prognosis was very positive.”

In Metro’s case, her involvement with the American Cancer Society led to her catching the disease early. Knowing the importance of early detection, Metro preformed monthly self-examinations and upon discovering a lump immediately notified her doctor.

Added Metro “If I could impress upon women out there just one thing it would be the importance of doing a self-examination. Waiting a year until your next appointment isn’t enough. A lot can happen in a year. My doctor told me I probably saved my own life by detected it early through a self examination.”

“I have always known breast cancer was a pervasive problem. But when Laura was diagnosed it was such a strong reminder to me that this really can happen to anyone at anytime. One year, she is on a committee working to raise support for breast cancer and the next thing you know she is battling the disease personally,” said Botti.

Inspired by the strength of courageous survivors like Gellman and Metro, Botti wants to up the ante for this year’s golf outing. “Last year, we raised more than $65,000 for the American Cancer Society to benefit breast cancer research. This year, we have set a goal to raise at least $80,000.”

Botti invites individuals and businesses alike to participate in the event to support this worthy cause. A $349 registration fee entitles individuals to entry in an 18-hole tournament and invitations to a buffet luncheon and post-tournament awards banquet. Those unable to make it for golf are invited to attend the awards banquet for a donation of $175 per person. There are also a number of ways for businesses to get involved including six sponsorship levels and gift and prize donations. To register for the Weichert Golf Outing please contact Julie Holland at 973-359-8380 by July 31 as space is limited.

In addition, individuals who can’t attend the event but wish to help support breast cancer research are encouraged to send donations payable to the American Cancer Society to Weichert, Realtors, 1625 State Highway 10, Morris Plains, NJ 07950, attention Jacelyn Botti - Weichert Golf Outing.

Weichert has nearly 18,000 sales associates in more than 500 company-owned and franchised sales offices in key markets throughout the U.S.  A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance.  For more information, Weichert's customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD or at Weichert's Web site, www.weichert.com.  Each Weichert franchised office is independently owned and operated.

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