On September 21, 2022, the Second Annual Danielle Kirrane Memorial Golf Outing was held at the Dyker Beach Golf Course in Brooklyn.
This annual outing is in memory of Danielle Kirrane, a 38-year-old Ronkonkoma native, who lost her battle with ALS in February of 2021. Leaving behind her husband Tom and 6-year-old daughter Anna, the golf outing was first started to keep Danielle’s memory alive, but most importantly, “assist those suffering from impossible causes to live like a lion and fight another day,” as per the organization’s website.
“Danielle lived like a lion,” said husband Tom Kirrane. “As she became sicker and sicker, she still managed to inspire everyone around her. She was positive, and she was a fierce fighter. She was determined to beat her diagnosis. She was the reason why we kept going, because she believed she could beat it, we began to believe she could too. Any negative remark thrown at her she swallowed it, kept it moving but most importantly, made it positive.”
In awe at his late wife’s courageousness, Tom began the Danielle Kirrane Foundation where he donates to ALS research and aids those suffering from ALS and other terminal causes. After the first outline last September, the foundation became one of the top donors listed on the ALS Association’s website.
In addition, funds were donated to another family of a first responder who was also diagnosed with the fatal illness.
This year’s event was an even greater success.
Raffles and donations came from notable donors such as Barstool Sports, the New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New York Knicks, and Tropicana. Other local donors included All For One Coffee, Skinflints, Climatec and Centereach’s own Vecchio Cesspools.
Over $40,000 was raised for ALS research thanks to the generous contributions of all who attended or donated. “She’d be really happy,” Tom continued. “It was a great turnout, a ton of money raised and goes to show that we are growing. I’m excited to see how much we can raise and who we can help next year.”
Much more information is listed on the organization’s website DanielleKirraneFoundation. The foundation is also active on Instagram and Facebook, where other opportunities to give back are regularly posted.
