Now in its fourth year, the Power of Hope Golf Tournament has raised a grand total of $562,000 for prostate cancer.

In 2019, Mike Laframboise directly benefited from the generosity of donors when he had prostate cancer surgery. Doctors used a da Vinci Surgical System (a robotic-assisted surgical machine that is less invasive and leads to quicker recover times than traditional prostate surgeries) that was recently purchased thanks to donor support.

“I had my tonsils removed when I was 19 and that surgery was more painful than my prostate cancer surgery,” says Mike, the 77-year-old former president of the Kingston Dodge car dealership. “It was only a couple of small incisions and they removed my prostate.”

After directly benefiting from donor-funded equipment, Mike wanted to pay it forward and help the next generation of prostate cancer patients in Kingston and southeastern Ontario. He saw the success of the Rose of Hope Golf Tournament – a major breast cancer fundraiser that has raised more than $3 million over the past 26 years – and was inspired to start Power of Hope.

Now in its fourth year, the Power of Hope Golf Tournament has raised a grand total of $562,000 for prostate cancer. This year’s event, held at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club on August 26, attracted more than 130 golfers and raised $152,500. In previous years, the event collected $141,500 (2023), $174,000 (2022) and $94,000 (2021).

“It’s awesome,” Mike says about breaking the half-million-dollar mark. “We have a great committee and great support from club members. We approach people and they are happy to give support because many times if that person didn’t have prostate cancer, they know someone who did.”

Prostate cancer survivor Dr. Ian Davis is a retired urologist who performed many prostate cancer surgeries. Dr. Davis – a Queen’s University medical school graduate who lives in Ancaster, Ont. – travelled to Kingston to take part in the Power of Hope tournament to golf with friends and support the important cause.

“Hospitals are strapped for cash so it’s hard to find the funds for new technology,” says Dr. Davis. “It makes these events important. I’m not a good golfer but I thought I’d come and enjoy the walk.”