Lake Wales Chrysler's Mahalak Auto Group Raising Funds to "Conquer Cancer"

The 10th Annual "18 Aces to Conquer Cancer" golf event is sponsored by the Mahalak Auto Group, owners of a local auto dealership, to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid.

"The goal of 18 Aces to Conquer Cancer is to raise funds for pancreatic cancer, but also to have a fun time doing it." said Ralph Mahalak Jr., co-owner of the Mahalak Auto Group. "This year we will be honoring five members of the community that have recently passed: Glenda Kennon, Jeff Tuttle, Frank Messina, Bud Johnson, and Eric Maxwell. The annual event has raised over $100,000 for pancreatic cancer research and other related programs.

The Mahalak Auto Group owns four dealerships in Polk County, including Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Each year, the event is rotated between venues to be close to one of the seven Low Payment King Mahalak Auto Group dealerships.

The event offers a chance to win a Jeep lease for every hole-in-one made, and is part of the family-owned business's commitment to supporting community needs

The event will take place on Flag Day, Wednesday, June 14th, at Monroe Golf and Country Club in Monroe, Michigan, where the family also owns a dealership. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 41 Nation Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Supported by thousands of volunteers and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect, and eradicate all forms of cancer. For more information, visit http://www.karmanos.org.

The course will be set up so that every hole is a par three and play will be four-person best ball scramble. There will be $31 million dollars' worth of vehicles to give away, and will be hosted this year in Monroe, Michigan, where the group has a dealership

"We are currently looking for interested sponsors, golfers, speakers, and volunteers," Mahalak said of the event.

The event registration will include a Tim Horton breakfast at 8:45am and a shotgun start at 10:14 am. After the round of golf concludes, there will be an Awards Lunch with live and silent auctions. "We are trying to raise funds for research and awareness of pancreatic cancer," said Ralph. "It is rarely detected in its early stages, so it is one of the leading causes of cancer death." Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced and surgical removal is not possible. 18 Aces to Conquer Cancer aims to spread awareness of pancreatic cancer, while donating proceeds to research and patient aid.

For more information about 18 Aces to Conquer Cancer visit www.18AcestoConquerCancer.com. To become a sponsor of this event, contact Siena Witfoth at 734-731-8123