CONTRIBUTED BY THE AUSTIN 1ST FOUNDATION
AUBURN —
Swing to make a difference. The inaugural Aces Fore Austin benefit golf tournament is coming to raise awareness and funds for rare disease research.
The event, hosted by Austin 1st Foundation, will take place at Robert Trent Jones Grand National on June 12 and is the organization’s first-ever golf tournament to benefit rare disease research.
Registration for the golf tournament will begin at 7 a.m. with a breakfast and welcome at 7:45 a.m. The tournament will feature a shotgun start at 8 a.m., with a four-person scramble format. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Awards, giveaways and a post-tournament meal will be held immediately after play ends.
The Austin 1st Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by rare diseases through education, advocacy and research. The Aces Fore Austin golf tournament is just one of the various initiatives the foundation has undertaken to support its mission.
“The Austin 1st Foundation gives back directly to communities and the 1 in 10 Americans affected by rare diseases,” said Anthony and Lindsey Terling, co-founders of the foundation.
“Rare” are any diseases, illnesses, disorders or conditions affecting 200,000 or fewer people in the United States.
Ninety-five percent of funds raised will be given directly to support the Austin 1st Foundation’s mission and two specific research projects, one with UAB’s Undiagnosed Diseases Program and the Raiden Science Foundation’s UBA5 Mutation research project through Oregon Health and Science University.
The Raiden Science Foundation, the UBA5 Foundation, and the Austin 1st Foundation all aim to find effective treatments for those suffering from UBA5 Mutation and other rare diseases. More than 90% of rare diseases have no FDA-approved treatment.
Austin, the son of Lindsey and Anthony Terling, was diagnosed with UBA5 Mutation, an ultra-rare genetic disease that is life-limiting and causes severe physical and cognitive disabilities. At the time of the diagnosis, Austin and a couple others were considered the first diagnosis of UBA5 Mutation in North America and one of just 35 to 45 cases worldwide. Austin passed away on July 16, 2022, but through the Austin 1st Foundation, he continues to touch many lives. For more information about the Aces Fore Austin golf tournament or to donate to support the mission, visit the Austin 1st Foundation website at www.austin1stfoundation.org.
