This Saturday, one of Bryan Mudrykís dreams will come true.
The Boyle native and TSN personality is coming home for his annual Golf Classic event at the Skeleton Lake Golf Club and the Boyle Community Centre. As special as the event always is, this year it is even more so, as this is the year Mudrykís goal of raising $1 million for Edmontonís Cross Cancer Institute will become a reality.
After 10 years, the event has raised $800,000, with last yearís Classic raising a remarkable $211,000. With days to go and over $100,000 already raised, the 2012 record is set to be shattered.
Itís an emotional and exciting time for the local cancer survivor.
ìI am very humbled and overwhelmed by the support of so many different people over the last decade,î he said. ìTo raise money for that facility after battling for my life, and now to come back and put a happy ending on this entire story is simply phenomenal.î
Mudryk will fly in to Edmonton on Thursday in time for the kick-off event at The Red Piano at West Edmonton Mall. Then on Friday night, thereís a meet and greet with the visiting celebrities at the Boyle Legion, followed by the big day on Saturday.
ìItís just been a real wild ride. Itís just remarkable how much money weíve been able to raise, the people Iíve met, and the stories. It has simply been incredible.î
Now that Mudrykís original goal has been met, he anticipates that the event will be scaled back in the coming years, as he and his mother, event organizer Terry Mudryk-Harbarenko, continue to put in countless hours to make it a reality.
ìItís a full time job for my mom and myself,î he said.
With all the preparations complete, itís time to settle in and hope for good weather as the annual event approaches. As always, Mudryk is looking forward to returning home and seeing lots of friendly faces. And he already knows it will be a very special moment later in the summer when he makes the official presentation at the Cross Cancer Institute, turning his dream into a reality.
ìFor me, I find I get so caught up in the moment (at the Classic) of seeing everyone, enjoying an amazing group of people, that it doesnít sink in until about a month later what weíve actually accomplished.î
ìItís nice to be able to tell people my story, and give people hope that they can beat cancer too.î
