Sanford Int’l names 2020 Children’s Hospital Ambassador

Contact:
Paul Heinert
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / paul.heinert@sanfordhealth.org

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., June 17, 2020 The Sanford International, in partnership with the Sanford Health Foundation, has named Ben Wieman as the 2020 Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador. Wieman, who is 10 years old and from Madison, will represent Sanford Children’s Hospital at tournament events throughout the year.

On Jan. 31, 2017, Ben was less than two weeks away from celebrating his seventh birthday with family and friends when an ambulance transported him to Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls. After seeing a team of doctors, Ben was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He had 95-percent leukemia cells in his bone marrow and 75% of the bad cells in his blood. Ben spent the next 24 days in the hospital fighting for his life.

After years of treatments and check-ups, on April 10, Ben rang the bell at Sanford Children’s Hospital with his parents Bryan and Carrie and older brother Jake, a moment that marked the end of his cancer treatment.

“The addition of the Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador has been an incredible highlight to the tournament,” said Josh Brewster, tournament director of the Sanford International. “To see Ben on the first tee for the opening ceremonies this September reminds everyone why this event has always been about more than golf.”

“Ben is a special person, and we are honored to have him represent Sanford Children’s at this year’s tournament,” said Bobbie Tibbetts, president of the Sanford Health Foundation. “He inspires us to continue our mission of transforming lives and making a significant impact on the local communities where we live.”

For more information about the Sanford Children’s Hospital Ambassador program and previous representatives, visit sanfordinternational.com.

About the Sanford International

The Sanford International Presented by Cambria, a PGA TOUR Champions event contested in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be played at Minnehaha Country Club the week of September 7-13, featuring a $1.8 million purse. A five-year agreement is in place through 2022. In its third year, the Sanford International will continue to focus on charitable giving and making a lasting impact in Sioux Falls. These organizations are supported through the proceeds of the tournament and via direct donations to participating charities. For more information about the tournament, please visit sanfordinternational.com. You can also follow the tournament on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About The Sanford Health Foundation

The Sanford Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization on a mission to help people live better and more fully by powering Sanford Health’s work of health, healing and comfort. 100% of gifts help deliver compassionate, patient-centered care and drive medical research and collaboration to accelerate bold solutions for a brighter tomorrow. To learn more and join us, please visit sanfordhealthfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/sanfordhealthfoundation, or Instagram, instagram.com/sanfordhealthfoundation.

About PGA TOUR Champions

PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 33 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. In 2020, the PGA TOUR Champions schedule includes 27 tournaments across the United States, Morocco, Japan, England and Canada, with purses totaling nearly $59 million. The Charles Schwab Cup, which includes the Regular Season and the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, is used to determine the season-long champion. All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Internationally, telecasts air in excess of 170 countries and territories, reaching more than 340 million potential households, and distributed in 15+ markets via GOLFTV. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.