Making a Difference at the Cologuard Classic
On March 3, 2023, golf’s greatest legends will tee off in the annual PGA TOUR Champions Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona. Since its debut in 2018, this event has been an exciting chance for golf enthusiasts to watch their favorite pro golfers compete for a chance to take home a cash prize and wear the Tucson Conquistador helmet trophy. Perhaps the most significant part of the tournament, though, is the impact it has beyond the golf course.
Every year, the Cologuard Classic kicks off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March with a week’s worth of activities designed to raise colorectal cancer awareness, celebrate survivors and advocacy organizations, and support Southern Arizona charities. With the help of over 1,300 partners in 2022, the event brought an estimated economic impact of $25 million1 to the Tucson community.
The tournament is a platform to advocate for the importance of screening and early detection by bringing the colorectal cancer community together in a meaningful way. In 2022, more than 1002 colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers from ten advocacy groups participated in the tournament festivities. The week is an opportunity to celebrate those touched by colorectal cancer and further the fight against the disease.
Survivors celebrate with 2022 tournament winner Miguel Ángel Jiménez. Photographer: Alex Claney
For Tucson native Justin Hughes, the tournament is especially important. Justin is a stage III colorectal cancer survivor and has been part of the Cologuard Classic yearly, even playing alongside professional golfer Rocco Mediate in last year’s Pro-Am tournament.
“Playing in the Cologuard Classic means so much because we get to open up a conversation about colorectal cancer that sometimes doesn’t get to be had in our community,” said Justin. “It gives us a chance to educate people about the ease of getting screened but in an amazing and fun environment.”
In addition to uniting the colorectal cancer community, the tournament helps to encourage youth participation in sports. Since 2018, the golf tournament has raised more than $3 million for youth sports in Tucson2. These programs give Southern Arizona kids the opportunity to connect with their peers and participate in sports of their choice. Involving a child in sports at an early age may offer physical and mental health benefits3 for them, as well as developmental opportunities.
While fun to follow along as players go head-to-head through 54 holes of play, the Cologuard Classic is about more than just golf. In total, last year’s tournament generated over $720,000 worth of charitable proceeds, distributed amongst 80 total charitable recipients1. We’re looking forward to having an even greater impact at the 2023 Cologuard Classic and continuing to make a difference in the colorectal cancer and Tucson communities.
1 Cologuard Classic 2023: PGA tour champions. (2023). Accessed January 24, 2023. https://cologuardclassic.com
2 Internal Data on File. Exact Sciences Corporation. Madison, WI.
3 PCSFN Science Board. (2020, September 17). Benefits of Youth Sports. Health.gov. Accessed January 24, 2023. https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/YSS_Report_OnePager_2020-08-31_web.pdf
