“To see humanity come together and do what we were meant to do, it’s very touching. People are helping other people they may never even lay eyes on,” she said. “This also shows hope, because it shows the community coming together for the same cause — to end this disease.”

The 2009 American Cancer Society tournament wraps up today with a 1 p.m. shotgun start at Stone Creek. It is the third and final day of the tournament.

This year’s tournament is expected to raise between $30,000-40,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“The money from the golf tournament goes for programs and services. The bulk of the money goes to the ACS in general for research,” Braswell said. “Our mission statement has always been directed towards eliminating the disease. (Research) is the top thing we give to. We also have five or six programs locally that assist with quality of life, and then we also have money that goes into advocacy to keep laws in place to help insurance companies cover screenings and things like that.

“Where we are now with cancer research, compared with where we were 30 years ago (is great). We’re seeing a decrease in the mortality rate for the second or third year in a row, and that says the medicines are better and the technologies are better. And we know more about cancer in general. We’re closer than we ever have been.”

During the past 28 years, the Valdosta tournament has become one of the biggest American Cancer Society tournaments in the state of Georgia. So big, in fact, that it is now a three-day tournament, just so that every team that wants to compete has a chance. There are close to 60 four-man teams competing this year.

“People just gravitate to a cancer tournament,” Paulk said on Wednesday. “Every nickel (from this tournament) goes to cancer. It’s very worthwhile. It’s a very good cause.”

This year’s tournament is dedicated to Mary Jean Holland, a longtime Lowndes County resident who lost her battle with cancer in March.

“She was a wonderful lady. She was a giver. Her last weeks of life, she was laying in bed and worried about other people,” Paulk said.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer causes about 13 percent of all human deaths. It is an enemy that almost everyone wants to see defeated, and the American Cancer Society has devoted millions of dollars and countless hours to finding a cure.

“Some day, they’re going to find a cure for cancer, and I hope I’m part of it,” Paulk said. “I would love to see it.”

“Anything that can be done to help find a cure for it, I think, is a great thing,” Moritz said.

For more information on the American Cancer Society, visit their Web site, www.cancer.org.