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Eric Thompson is a greens keeper at Valley Point Golf Course. He was diagnosed with a rare disease that affects his nervous system. Friend in need By Taylor Messick Last Updated: June 29, 2017 Community rallies to help with medical bills Eric Thompson collapsed. A greens keeper at Valley Point Golf Course, Thompson was working on the course one day when he suddenly fell. He was taken to the hospital. Doctors later diagnosed Thompson with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy — or CIPD. The rare disorder of the peripheral nerves is characterized by gradually increasing sensory loss and weakness associated with loss of reflexes. Thompson has recently been mostly bedridden and has to use a wheelchair to get around while awaiting very expensive treatments, for which he has limited health insurance coverage. Treatments are available, but don't always cure the condition. Once symptoms subside, treatments are stopped; but they can return at any point. Valley Center residents Doug Doolen and Fred Messick have organized a golf tournament fundraiser to assist the Valley Center native with his medical bills. Doolen and Messick said they are longtime friends with the Thompson. When the opportunity arose to help a friend in need, they didn't think twice. "Eric is quite a bit older than me," said Doolen. "We met on the golf course and always play golf together and have a good time. Eric's dad, Tim, is best friends with my uncle. They graduated together and had their 50th birthday parties together. After Eric collapsed, I was listening to the ball game with Fred one night and we started talking about ways to raise money for him. Next thing we knew, we were knocking on doors trying to find donors." Messick has also known the Thompsons for a number of years. He said he is more than happy to be helping his friends. "Tim was one of the first people I met when I moved to Valley Center in 1982," said Messick. "We became friends and we used to be neighbors. I've known his boys basically since they were born. Everybody knows the Thompsons and everybody loves them. That's why we knew we could get the community to pull together and help them out." The tournament is scheduled for July 15 at Valley Point Golf Course. Local businesses have shown support for the cause already. Many local businesses and other area golf courses have donated certificates and other prizes. Doolen and Messick will continue to look for and accept donations until the day of the tournament. The golf tournament will be structured in a two-man-scramble format. The entry fee is $60 for a team of two. Teams will be able to purchase as many raffle ticket mulligans as they'd like prior to the start of the tournament for five dollars each. Teams can choose to use their mulligans at any point during their 18 holes. At the end of the tournament, special prizes will be given to the tournament's top performers. Doolen and Messick said the first 18 teams that sign up are guaranteed tee times, but they will allow as many teams to play as possible on the day of the tournament. For those who don't wish to golf, there will also be plenty of other opportunities to win prizes and contribute. Raffle tickets will cost $2 each and there is no limit per person. Most of the items being donated by local businesses will be raffled in drawings that will take place at the end of the tournament. There will also be chances to get food or drinks while contributing to the cause. Ben Anderson's food truck will be on hand; golfers' meals are included in their entry fees. A number of cakes are also being baked and donated and the proceeds will be donated to Thompson; they will be for sale at the golf course on the day of the tournament and anyone wishing to contribute a cake is welcome to donate. After the event, Spirits Pub will hold an after party with drink specials; portions of the proceeds will be donated to Eric Thompson. Golf teams need to sign up at the Valley Center Recreation Commission in advance. Teams will be entered on a first-come, first-served basis. A "Go Fund Me" page has been set up for Thompson. |
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