Morgan Ryan Leads “Links Fore Leukemia” in Fight Against Cancer
Morgan Ryan manages day-of operations for the annual Dallas outing of the “Links Fore Leukemia” golf tournament. “Links Fore Leukemia” was founded to raise awareness of leukemia in North Texas and to raise money in the search for a cure.
Dallas, TX, July 20, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Morgan Ryan, a Vice President at the insurance firm SIG Insurance Professionals of Dallas, recently completed his third year as Operations Director for the Links Fore Leukemia Golf Tournament. Held on May 19th at the Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, The Links Fore Leukemia Tournament has raised over $2 million for research since it’s inception.
For Morgan Ryan, working with Links Fore Leukemia is about far more than supporting a worthy cause and indulging his love for golf. Ryan joined the leadership committee of Links Fore Leukemia, and manages tournament operations, as part of his own personal crusade against this dreaded disease.
In 2005, Ryan’s older brother died of leukemia. Immediately, he began searching for a way to actively participate in raising awareness of leukemia and money to fight the disease. He discovered Links Fore Leukemia shortly thereafter and has been an integral part of its annual North Texas tournament ever since.
“I really cherish my ability to be involved with Links Fore Leukemia and help put on the tournament,” Ryan said. “It’s perfect because I am passionate about the cause, and I really enjoy the game as well.”
Ryan, who has enjoyed a successful career in real estate and commercial risk management, also worked as an assistant golf pro in Scottsdale, Arizona in the late 1990s. In addition to being in charge of tournament operations, he also focuses on coming up with creative ways to raise additional funds during the event.
One such example is called “Use the Pro’s Drive.” For $50, tournament participants can play a ball driven by a professional golfer. This usually takes place on a par 5, where driving distance can be crucial for success. There is also a “Beat the Pro” challenge on one of the par 3 holes. To take the challenge, golfers can contribute $20 to try to hit inside the shot of a pro.
The Links Fore Leukemia Tournament differs from other golf events in that there is a requisite fundraising component for each player. Participants can contribute the $500 minimum entry free or recruit friends, family members, and business acquaintances to help them raise a portion of the fee.
Morgan Ryan believes that what sets Links Fore Leukemia apart from other similar events is its ability to effectively manage contributions and maximize the amount it donates to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“Our ability to manage our margins really makes us unique,” Ryan explained. “I’ve seen a lot of tournaments that might bring in $500,000 but they will spend $400,000 organizing the event. That really cuts into what you can ultimately contribute to the cause you’re supporting. Links Fore Leukemia, however, consistently delivers a net to gross margin of more than 80%, as opposed to the 20% in the example above. It is a remarkable figure for a charity golf tournament, and one that makes me really proud of our organization.”
Links Fore Leukemia was founded by Jim Willis and began with its inaugural event in April of 1997. This year’s event honored Willis, who lost his own personal battle with leukemia shortly after the first event in 1997. Willis’ son Matthew began fundraising and participating in 2004 at the age of nine. He has collected over $28,000 in contributions through letter-writing campaigns and wristband sales.
Sponsors such as PGA Tour Superstore, Adams Golf, KPMG, Ernst & Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Grant Thornton, among many others, signed on for the 2008 event in Plano during which golfers participated in the usual four-player scramble. The $500 minimum entry fee included greens fees, cart, practice range, box lunch, and a player appreciation package. After the event was a recognition ceremony. The top fundraisers were honored, along with the top scoring teams, holes in one, longest drive, straightest drive, and closest-to-the-pin.
During its existence, Links Fore Leukemia has raised over $2 million for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to support the fight against leukemia. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization focused on funding blood cancer research, education, and patient aid. There are currently over 208,080 people in the United States living with leukemia, and it is predicted that 22,280 will die of leukemia just this year.
“Since it was founded in 1949, LLS has invested $483 million for research that goes specifically to fighting blood cancers, and this money has been spread throughout over 425 researchers and 120 institutions worldwide,” said Ryan.
The efforts of Morgan Ryan, and all the members of Links Fore Leukemia, make such prodigious investments in the fight against leukemia possible.
Morgan Ryan is a Producer/Vice President at SIG Insurance Professionals in Dallas, TX. He holds an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation, and is currently working to complete both the CIC and CPCU designations. Ryan is also licensed and certified in the areas of General Lines Property and Casualty, as well as Life and Health Insurance. Ryan's commercial insurance expertise includes restaurant insurance and housing insurance.
To contact Morgan Ryan, visit http://morgan.ryan.name or email morgan.ryan@trustsig.com.
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For Morgan Ryan, working with Links Fore Leukemia is about far more than supporting a worthy cause and indulging his love for golf. Ryan joined the leadership committee of Links Fore Leukemia, and manages tournament operations, as part of his own personal crusade against this dreaded disease.
In 2005, Ryan’s older brother died of leukemia. Immediately, he began searching for a way to actively participate in raising awareness of leukemia and money to fight the disease. He discovered Links Fore Leukemia shortly thereafter and has been an integral part of its annual North Texas tournament ever since.
“I really cherish my ability to be involved with Links Fore Leukemia and help put on the tournament,” Ryan said. “It’s perfect because I am passionate about the cause, and I really enjoy the game as well.”
Ryan, who has enjoyed a successful career in real estate and commercial risk management, also worked as an assistant golf pro in Scottsdale, Arizona in the late 1990s. In addition to being in charge of tournament operations, he also focuses on coming up with creative ways to raise additional funds during the event.
One such example is called “Use the Pro’s Drive.” For $50, tournament participants can play a ball driven by a professional golfer. This usually takes place on a par 5, where driving distance can be crucial for success. There is also a “Beat the Pro” challenge on one of the par 3 holes. To take the challenge, golfers can contribute $20 to try to hit inside the shot of a pro.
The Links Fore Leukemia Tournament differs from other golf events in that there is a requisite fundraising component for each player. Participants can contribute the $500 minimum entry free or recruit friends, family members, and business acquaintances to help them raise a portion of the fee.
Morgan Ryan believes that what sets Links Fore Leukemia apart from other similar events is its ability to effectively manage contributions and maximize the amount it donates to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“Our ability to manage our margins really makes us unique,” Ryan explained. “I’ve seen a lot of tournaments that might bring in $500,000 but they will spend $400,000 organizing the event. That really cuts into what you can ultimately contribute to the cause you’re supporting. Links Fore Leukemia, however, consistently delivers a net to gross margin of more than 80%, as opposed to the 20% in the example above. It is a remarkable figure for a charity golf tournament, and one that makes me really proud of our organization.”
Links Fore Leukemia was founded by Jim Willis and began with its inaugural event in April of 1997. This year’s event honored Willis, who lost his own personal battle with leukemia shortly after the first event in 1997. Willis’ son Matthew began fundraising and participating in 2004 at the age of nine. He has collected over $28,000 in contributions through letter-writing campaigns and wristband sales.
Sponsors such as PGA Tour Superstore, Adams Golf, KPMG, Ernst & Young, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Grant Thornton, among many others, signed on for the 2008 event in Plano during which golfers participated in the usual four-player scramble. The $500 minimum entry fee included greens fees, cart, practice range, box lunch, and a player appreciation package. After the event was a recognition ceremony. The top fundraisers were honored, along with the top scoring teams, holes in one, longest drive, straightest drive, and closest-to-the-pin.
During its existence, Links Fore Leukemia has raised over $2 million for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to support the fight against leukemia. LLS is the world’s largest voluntary health organization focused on funding blood cancer research, education, and patient aid. There are currently over 208,080 people in the United States living with leukemia, and it is predicted that 22,280 will die of leukemia just this year.
“Since it was founded in 1949, LLS has invested $483 million for research that goes specifically to fighting blood cancers, and this money has been spread throughout over 425 researchers and 120 institutions worldwide,” said Ryan.
The efforts of Morgan Ryan, and all the members of Links Fore Leukemia, make such prodigious investments in the fight against leukemia possible.
Morgan Ryan is a Producer/Vice President at SIG Insurance Professionals in Dallas, TX. He holds an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation, and is currently working to complete both the CIC and CPCU designations. Ryan is also licensed and certified in the areas of General Lines Property and Casualty, as well as Life and Health Insurance. Ryan's commercial insurance expertise includes restaurant insurance and housing insurance.
To contact Morgan Ryan, visit http://morgan.ryan.name or email morgan.ryan@trustsig.com.
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Contact
Morgan Ryan, ARM
Morgan Ryan
214-458-5016
www.mcgriff.com
Morgan Ryan
214-458-5016
www.mcgriff.com
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