Celebrity Golf Classic raises $553,443 for Seena Magowitz Foundation

Feb. 27, 2012 — The 9th annual Seena Magowitz Celebrity Golf Classic raised $553,443 for pancreatic cancer research at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) through the Seena Magowitz Foundation.

These funds will go toward new international clinical trials run by TGen's Pancreatic Cancer Research Team.

This was the first time that major retailers, producers and suppliers in the mattress industry — longtime supporters of pancreatic cancer research — came together at the landmark Arizona Biltmore for the annual Seena Magowitz tournament.

More than 200 golfers took to the links Dec. 3, 2011, followed by an award luncheon, at which Roger E. Magowitz, President and co-founder of the Seena Magowitz Foundation, challenged everyone, the way he challenges himself.

"If not me, then who?" said Magowitz, a Scottsdale resident who for nearly a decade has championed research into finding a cure for pancreatic cancer, a disease that took the life of his mother, Seena, in 2001. "The 'who' is each one of you in this room," he said. "The 'who' is your business and your friends. The 'who' is an entire mattress industry united to fighting pancreatic cancer. I've never heard of any entire industry fighting a disease. We can beat this disease."

Magowitz, a long-time industry retailer, now is charitable advisor for Houston-based Mattress Firm, who has become a major sponsor.

Steve Stagner, President and CEO of Mattress Firm, a leading national bedding specialty retailer, served as Honorary Tournament Chairman: "This year's Seena Magowitz Classic provided us with a great opportunity to rededicate our commitment to putting an end to pancreatic cancer."

Michael Bassoff, President of the non-profit TGen Foundation, expressed his deep gratitude for the significant contributions made this past year by Roger Magowitz and Steve Stagner.

"In our fight against pancreatic cancer, there is no more powerful ally than Roger Magowitz, whose own commitment has initiated many incredible partnerships within the home furnishings industry," Bassoff said. "We also are extremely grateful to have merited the support of Steve Stagner and the Mattress Firm."

In March 2011, Mattress Firm announced that it named TGen its "charitable partner of choice," specifically funding TGen's pancreatic cancer research.

In May 2011, Mattress Firm kicked off their fundraising efforts for TGen's pancreatic cancer clinical trials.

In December 2011, pancreatic clinical trials began through TGen and other sites that are named for Seena Magowitz.

Provided by The Translational Genomics Research Institute