The Andy North and Friends Cancer Fund

As the Andy North & Friends event celebrates over a decade of supporting cancer research at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, we are proud to say that we have raised over 11 million dollars for research at UW Carbone. Just as the UW Carbone Cancer Center is always focused on the innovations it will take to win the fight against cancer, we are transforming our Andy North & Friends event. This evolution will create unique opportunities in Madison and around the country to showcase the impact of UW Carbone Cancer Center research. Our community has been the key to our success for well over a decade. 

In 2020, we plan to showcase the work of our star researchers in locations including both the east and west coasts, Florida and, of course, a new twist on Andy North and Friends in Madison, including a fun way to support cancer research at Trivia Night with Andy North.

Through these events or an online donation to the Andy North and Friends Cancer Fund, you help support cutting edge research right here at UW Carbone. For more information, contact Jen Davie at the UW Carbone Cancer Center at jldavie@wisc.edu or (608) 421-3597. When we work together, we can defeat cancer once and for all. 

About Andy
Two-time US Open champion Andy North had no choice but to hit the links. In the seventh grade, the future professional golfer wasn't particularly interested in the sport and instead opted to play football and basketball. When a knee injury forced him to give up contact sports, he turned to golf as an alternative and the game quickly became a passion and ultimately his life's work. 

At the University of Florida, his play landed him All-American honors three times. After racking up amateur victories, the Wisconsin native turned professional in 1972 and embarked on a successful PGA career. He won the 1978 and 1985 U.S. Open Championships, one of only 16 men to win the event more than once. He also played on the 1978 World Cup and 1985 Ryder Cup teams.

However, during the spring of 1991 Andy missed nearly two months of tournaments on the PGA Tour but, more importantly, became part of a group that grows larger every day. More than 500,000 Americans develop skin cancer every year, and in 1991, Andy was among those counted. Andy had basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, but its least common subtype, morphea. Even though the doctor believes the tumor had grown for more than a year, it was invisible to the naked eye. 

Five operations later the cancer had been cut out, and the doctor had removed most of his left nostril and left a hole on his face the size of a quarter. He considers himself one of the lucky ones. 

Through golfing and commentating for ESPN, Andy continues to give of his time and talent to the world of golf and philanthropy around the globe.