Relay For Life: Prattville pastor uses golf to fight cancer

By Hamilton Richardson
Progress staff writer



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Pastor Rick Mason of Christ Lutheran Church will golf for 12 straight hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
-- Hamilton Richardson, Progress


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For the third year in a row, Pastor Rick Mason of Christ Lu­theran Church in Prattville will try to beat his own goal and raise more money than ever for one of his most cherished causes; the American Cancer Society.

"I've been affected by cancer. It's really affected my life," Ma­son said. "My dad died of cancer and my mother-in-law is a can­cer survivor. There are 15 or 20 cancer survivors at the church."

Mason, who has been involv­ed with ACS for about 14 years and has already raised over $3,000 for the organization, said that he tries to do his best to fight cancer by supporting the group.

"I've always liked Relay For Life. We want to make whatever progress we can to combat the disease," he said. "I encourage people not to smoke or if they do smoke, to quit."

Mason is participating in the Relay For Life but he's doing it a little differently than most. He'll be spending 12 straight hours without a break on a golf course.

"I plan to walk and play from 6:30 a.m. until about 7 p.m. one day during the week of April 13 through April 17. In 2007, I played 90 holes. Last year it was only 72 holes," Mason said. "I hope to get back up to at least 90 holes this year."

Mason is attempted to get The Pines Golf Course in Mill­brook to allow him to play on a day that the course are closed. That way, he believes, he'll be able to play 90 to 100 holes with­out interruption.

"Right now I've got a one-dol­lar a hole pledged and a pledge of $175 online," Mason said. "Our youth group has already raised $500 for ACS."

To pledge an amount to Ma­son's Relay For Life golf mara­thon, a check made out to the American Cancer Society can be sent to him at Christ Lutheran Church at 2175 Cobbs Ford Road, Prattville, AL 36066. He can also be reached by phone at 285-7461 or by email at RevMason49@aol.com. Online donations can also be made to Rick Mason at http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09MS?px=8954410&pg=personal&fr_id=15748.

The American cancer Socie­ty will hold its Autauga County Relay For Life on April 24.