Benaroya Research Institute will celebrate eight years of partnership with the Boeing Classic at this year’s tournament on August 20-26. As one of the biggest events of the PGA Champion’s Tour, the tournament is BRI’s largest fundraising event and provides crucial funding for autoimmune disease research. But what’s the connection between autoimmune disease and golf? It’s a story that involves two volunteers and one fateful round of golf.
When Gary Kerr and Tom Bonorden first met over a weekend round of golf more than ten years ago, it was obvious that the two shared a love for the sport. But by the end of their 18 holes together, Tom and Gary sensed they had a lot more in common.
It was a round that would lead to a lasting impact on the Boeing Classic and BRI. Since 2007, either Gary or Tom has held the position of co-chair of the Boeing Classic’s 850 volunteers—this is the first year that they’ve shared the position. Their hard work and dedication is driven by a shared personal passion to help BRI eliminate autoimmune diseases.
“Type 1 diabetes is rampant in my family,” Tom says, speaking about an illness that many are not even aware is an autoimmune disease, perhaps because of the sheer range and different types of autoimmune diseases. There are more than 110 known autoimmune diseases that affect one in every 15 Americans, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and type 1 diabetes.
“My parents, grandparents, all my siblings—except me—my aunts and uncles, all suffered from type 1 diabetes,” Tom continues. A number of Tom’s family members, including Tom’s mother and father, died from complications associated with the disease. “Given that perspective,” Tom says, “I feel that volunteering to help BRI is a good way to spend my time. So that people after us won’t have to experience the same thing.”
Gary’s experience with autoimmune disease cuts just as deep. In 2014, Gary’s wife, Sandy, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Then last year, in 2017, Gary himself was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. “The hours I spend helping to raise money for BRI,” Gary says, “is the best way to spend my time because I know it’s going to directly benefit medical research conducted at BRI.”
