WATSONVILLE — In the last seven years, the Jerry Loyola Foundation has donated $150,000 to patients and organizations fighting cancer.
But there is always a lingering worry, said Gerardo Loyola, who formed the foundation with his family in honor of his son Jerry; a worry that the foundation will not be able to help those who need it most.
“My biggest fear is that we get a phone call and we don’t have the funds,” Loyola said.
Thanks to the generosity of the community, that fear has not materialized.
The eighth annual “JL” Challenge Golf Tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at Spring Hills Golf Course in Watsonville, the major fundraiser of the year for the Jerry Loyola Foundation.
Jerry Loyola was 24 when he lost his two-year battle to cancer on Oct. 6, 2009. A passionate golfer, he was a member of the Watsonville High School golf team for four years, and twice qualified for the Central Coast Section Golf Finals.
During his time at Cabrillo College, he qualified for the Northern California Junior Golf Finals in 2006.
Since the foundation’s beginnings, it has donated more than $150,000 to numerous patients and families, three local oncology centers, and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. It also supports local high school and community golf programs.
“We help the community and we exist on the charity of the community,” Gerardo Loyola said. “The community makes us who we are. We really appreciate the support they’ve given us. We will continue to fight the good fight.”
Loyola said the foundation prides itself on donating funds to those who need it the most, and in immediate fashion.
“We are out there making a difference, but at the same time we are watching what we do is done correctly,” he said. “We are going to make sure everything goes to the right places for the right reasons.”
All the foundation asks for in return is a letter of thanks, which is shared with the audience during the annual tournament.
Beginning in 2016 and returning this year, the tournament begins on Friday with an individual stroke challenge dubbed the “Battle for the Belt.”
On Saturday is the four-person scramble format tournament, with 164 golfers signed up so far, Loyola said.
He added that the Jerry Loyola Foundation welcomed four new board members this year who will help expand its reach even further.
Loyola said he always addresses the golfers at the start of the tournament, sharing with them the work the foundation does.
“My heart swells and I have a hard time speaking because of the amount of love that is being displayed,” he said.
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Individual golfers are still sought for Friday’s tournament, and spots are nearly full for the scramble on Saturday. For information, call Gerardo Loyola at 247-0461.
