Young Cancer Survivor Tees Off to Help Others

Gabe Lipinski wanted to give back somehow for the gift of life he’d been given.

When Lipinski was 8 doctors discovered he had a brain tumor. The tumor threatened Lipinski’s sight and nervous system among other things.  Lipinski was treated by a neurooncologist and, after two years of chemotherapy, was declared to be in remission.

During the treatment, Gabe’s father Andy was concerned with helping Lipinski find ways to enjoy the outdoors. Lipinski showed an interest in golf when he was 6.

Lipinski and his father Andy started to play golf at the Cronin’s Golf Resort in New York. Every year, the owner donates money to a non-profit organization or a needy family. The money is collected when, in what is a tradition at the resort, people wrap $1 bills around a quarter and then throw it up so it sticks to the ceiling in the resort’s lounge.

“James Cronin, the owner, he only gives to one charity a year and he heard Gabe’s story and was really touched by it so he decided to give the money to Gabe this year,” said Sara, Gabe’s mother.

Gabe was given nearly $2,100. He will donate it to Making Headway, a non-profit that supports kids with brain and spinal tumors.

“For us, the biggest thing we want to do was help Gabe understand that we want him to pay it forward,” Andy Lipinski said. “We feel very fortunate that he was able to get through this.”