The 11th annual Quinn Brady Memorial Swing Against Cancer raised more money for cancer research than any prior event in the golf tournament’s history — more than $450,000. This record amount was due in large part to a generous $150,000 gift by an individual donor. However, even without that, the event still raised $60,000 more than last year’s tournament.
This year brought some new golfers onto the field, and being played a month later in May, several prior supporters who couldn’t play still sent in checks.
“We are so grateful for the amazing community support toward cancer research that USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is doing to help many people have more time with their loved ones after cancer,” said tournament chair Bill Poland.
Held at The La Quinta County Club, 84 golfers battled the heat to support the mission of “making cancer a disease of the past,” and golfers and their dinner guests heard exciting updates on the cutting-edge work at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center from a physician speaker, along with perspectives from a cancer survivor. Among the highlights of the live auction was a donated Rolex that raised $22,000 for the cause. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC Keck Medicine Department of Urology, and $35,000 will go to Eisenhower’s Lucy Curci Cancer Center for cancer support services for the community.
USC Norris Comprehensive Center’s vast research
A cancer diagnosis is a hard pill to swallow. Perhaps no one knows that better than an oncologist who specializes in the entire GI tract. This year’s physician speaker was Syma Iqbal, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, co-chair of the Southwest Oncology Group Esophago-Gastric Committee and chair of the National Cancer Institute’s Esophago-Gastric Task Force.
“There are many investigators at Norris working on identifying novel agents, and our goal is to offer individualized ways in which to treat cancer and also prevent cancer,” Iqbal said.
Numerous clinical trials available at USC Norris
A focus of her work at USC Norris is on clinical trials with GI malignancies. Along with her colleagues, she has conducted several studies that have led to new therapeutic options for patients. “There’s nothing more satisfying than running a clinical trial that winds up positive and our patients have benefited from that leading to (FDA) approval,” Iqbal said, noting that with some trials they also look to improve on what’s already been FDA approved.
While there are multiple, specific clinical trials for GI malignancies at USC Norris, more than 50 therapeutic trials for general malignancies, and more than 200 clinical trials across treatment paradigms, the issue, she told the audience, is that only 5% of patients nationally participate in clinical trials. Because of this statistic, USC Norris did a study to uncover some of the barriers to clinical trials. This study is resulting in designing new trials to address those barriers and increase education, not only for patients but also for doctors to know what’s available to help their patients.
While USC Norris wants to cure cancer, Iqbal stressed that there are other ways the center’s efforts are successful in cancer care. “We may not cure all our diseases, but I do think we’re turning them into chronic illnesses where patients can live long healthy lives with medications to control the disease. This is still a huge success,” she said, making analogy to other chronic illnesses such as diabetes, which can be managed.
Colon cancer survivor celebrates 25 years cancer-free after treatment
Longevity is something to be celebrated, especially when a person has had cancer. One of Iqbal’s patients, Frank Mason, was the cancer survivor speaker at the 2026 Swing Against Cancer dinner. A former USC librarian who was treated at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center for colon cancer, Mason shared his challenges with cancer, ultimately resulting in colon resection and a colostomy. While he told the audience, “There’s nothing nice about cancer,” he is grateful to be cancer-free for 25 years and entering the second half of his eighth decade. Mason told the supporters, “Thank you for your support and contributions to help me as a patient, to help research and help medicine in general. It’s very important that we continue this fight.”
Join the 2027 Swing Against Cancer
The date for the 2027 Swing Against Cancer golf tournament has been set for April 5 at The La Quinta County Club. For more information or to receive the tournament email updates, contact Bill Poland at 310-291-7179 or email bill@bill-poland.com.
For more on USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, visit uscnorriscancer.usc.edu. For more on Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, visit eisenhowerhealth.org/services/oncology/services/support.
Erika Byrd is a freelance writer and can be reached at erikabyrd.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Swing Against Cancer 2026 raises record funds for cancer research
Reporting by Erika Z. Byrd, Special to The Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Erika Z. Byrd, Special to The Desert Sun | USA TODAY Network
