East Rockaway Resident Honored for Breast Cancer Work

Pinnacle, a leader in the distance golf ball category, has announced East Rockaway resident Connie Burns as one of 10 honorees in its second annual Going the Distance Awards, a program that celebrates and honors golfers who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Nominated by members of the community, Burns has been influential when it comes to raising funds and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

Burns has been actively involved in raising awareness, participating in events, and fundraising for breast cancer for more than 20 years. She first started out walking with her mom in New York City in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure walk, and she has walked in countless three-days since.

Her mom was a survivor at the time and after her mom passed away in 1997, Burns founded her team called “Pat’s Pals.” She has been walking every year since and her team has grown in support. She has raised thousands and thousands of dollars to further research for the cause in hopes of one day finding a cure for breast cancer.

Burns is extremely proactive about educating women on the importance of mammography. She has been instrumental in getting women to take the actual step of making an appointment.

It is often that Burns will volunteer to go to appointments with her friends and family members to support them and ensure their health is cared for. She has changed careers in her own life and has become a Certified Health Counselor.

Burns first experience in golf was joining friends at the First Women’s Day in Golf in 1999, a Rally for the Cure event in support of breast cancer. She has been playing ever since and immediately joined her club’s committee to run Women’s Day in Golf promoting education and funding research each year

The East Rockaway resident currently belongs to multiple clubs and has taken on several leadership roles as the Rules Chairperson, Handicap Chairperson, and Tournament Chairperson. She feels strongly about promoting the game and being in a position to positively impact the clubs with which she is affiliated.

Burns regularly competes in amateur events and represents her clubs in MGA events.

“It is quite humbling to read the stories of these 10 amazing individuals, all of whom have dedicated large parts of their lives to the fight against breast cancer,” said Mary Lou Bohn, Vice President, Golf Ball Marketing and Communications. “The sheer number of nominations we received this year was inspiring, knowing how many golfers are committed to fighting this disease and making a difference. We hope that by sharing these stories it will inspire even more people to join the cause and help find a cure.”

Each of the 10 honorees will have a $10,000 donation made in their name to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help fund life-saving breast cancer research at the national level.