Tahoe Forest Health System raised more than $119,000 to benefit Tahoe Forest Cancer Center at its annual Gene Upshaw Memorial Golf Classic charity event. The cancer center is projected to open in 2012.

Support for fundraising events like this one assists in gaining awareness for the ongoing need to support local cancer programs.

The Gene Upshaw Memorial Golf Classic originated three years ago to provide a source of funding for pancreatic cancer research through the Tahoe Institute for Rural Health Research, and to honor the death of sports legend Gene Upshaw who died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 63. Upshaw fought his battle with pancreatic cancer at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee. He was a founding member of the golf club at Gray’s Crossing, where the golf tournament is played each year, and was an avid lover of the Truckee/North Tahoe area and lifestyle.