Rick Jones is the inspiration for it all.
That’s how Jones’n for a Cure all began. The same year he was diagnosed a brain tumor, he and his family and friends went on an Alaska Cruise weeks before the brain surgery to biopsy his tumor. When the biopsy came back, it was a rollercoaster of diagnoses. The first diagnosis says he only had 18 months, and the next one says he had 7 to 17 years. Being only 32 then, he was advised to hit it hard. So he went into radiation and took chemotherapy for the following year. Rick was a fantastic man, and through all of the treatments, he still worked full-time and didn’t share his diagnosis with everyone, as he never wanted to be seen as anything less than the man he was. His wife, Christy, asked him what was on his bucket list, and he said he just wanted to make it to the British Open. So together, they planned a two-week vacation for 2014 (even during the chemo treatment) and visited England, France, Ireland, and Scotland. They played golf at the K Club and many famous Scotland courses.
The treatments started working, and Rick went into remission at the end of 2014; he and his wife knew that it was only a matter of time before the tumor started growing again, and they knew it would produce more aggressively the next time. With that in mind, they took time to play more golf at any course Rick had ever thought about, camp and hike, go on road trips, and even one more cruise, this time to the Mediterranean!
At the beginning of 2017, after one of his 6 month check-ins, Rick and Christy were told that the tumor had started growing again and the chemotherapy would be rougher this timed. After only two months, it became apparent that the chemo wasn’t working, and they went through multiple other treatments. Those treatments still didn’t stop Rick and Christy from hitting up the British Open again in July at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England. In August they went on their last trip together an RV trip to Wyoming to see the total eclipse. At that point they realized that there was no stopping this brain tumor. By that point, Rick had lost all movement in his left arm, and while he couldn’t play golf anymore, he could still enjoy it on TV and they would put it on every weekend. Eventually, the tumor took away Rick’s ability to stand on his own and even speak. He still enjoyed visits from his family and friends before passing on November 4, 2017. Rick was one of those special people who you don’t get to meet very often, always willing to share a joke, always ready to hang out for some golf or a beer, and never willing to give up the hope that things would always get better. He is missed by his family and so many friends.
About Jones’n For A Cure
Jones’n for a Cure is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity (EIN No. 82-5189128) created by Rick’s wife Christy and a few of his close friends to honor his memory. A golf tournament is a great way for us to turn something bad into hopefully something good for others. Rick and Christy always believed that there had to be a way to help other people not go through the same thing they went through. To date, they’ve donated over $100,000 to the National Brain Tumor Society in support of our shared mission.
Along the way, we’ve also met many others impacted by brain tumors and hope our fundraising can help them in their journey.
The planning committee looks forward to a great golf day, raising money for a great cause, and building on our previous success!
Copy & Photos From Jones’n for a Cure
The Jones’n for a Cure Board of Directors (L to R, Mike Konieczki, Virginia Rynk, Kathleen Ward, Christy Jones, Tyler Hatch, Katie Hatch, Chuck Vertucci, and Rich Eisen)
Edit(5/23/23): THANK YOU to all who helped make 2022 our most successful year yet, donating $45,000 to the National Brain Tumor Society from our golf tournament, silent auction, pint night, and many generous donations and sponsorships! We’re confident the $149,000 we’ve donated in the last five years has benefited research and advocacy for brain tumors and helped people dealing with this terrible disease.
We’re happy to announce that plans for the 6th Annual Jones’n for a Cure Golf Tournament are underway and we hope to see many of you on September 25, 2023, at Haggin Oaks in Sacramento! You can sign up TODAY for golf, sponsorships, or make a donation at https://jonesn-for-a-cure-2023.perfectgolfevent.com/. Register before July 19th to lock in EARLY BIRD (2022) pricing!
We’ll have more information in the coming months about the golf tournament, additional events, and we’re even working on a new website!
Thanks again for your support of Jones’n for a Cure,
Jones’n for a Cure Board
For more information contact Jones’n For A Cure.
If you are interested in attending the Jones’n For A Cure tournament subscribe to Golf In The City Of Sacramento for updates.
