After Kim Kaufman battled breast cancer, Epson Tour sponsor offers free health screenings
Kaufman's return to the tour this week, however, was about more than a reunion. She came with a message.
"Obviously, I do have a different purpose, maybe a little bit bigger purpose," said Kaufman, who, along with good friend Dorsey Addicks, spearheaded complimentary health screenings for players onsite this week through Hartford HealthCare.
There have been tournaments in the past that offered free skin cancer exams. Why not breast cancer exams, the two friends asked.
"I had it at 32, diagnosed at 33, so a good reminder," said Kaufman, who received her breast cancer diagnosis the week after the Epson Tour Championship in mid-October last year.
"But there are also girls from a lot of other countries who don't go home, or maybe their country, it's not in their protocol to really do an exam every year. There are Americans that don't do it, there are definitely other countries that don't, so if we can just have these 150 girls do it … I'm hoping and thinking everyone will be fine, but if it's not, like me, then you wanna catch it early. So that would be a huge thing."
The screenings this week on the Epson Tour at Great River Golf Club aren't limited to breast exams. Health professionals also provided free screenings for skin cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Kaufman had a lumpectomy in November and started chemo treatments in January. After those wrapped up in April, she did seven weeks of radiation, which ended in early June.
"I honestly feel great," said Kaufman when she sat down with an Epson Tour media official. "I have a clean bill of health. You will always do more scans, you'll always do things. I would say I'll be watched really closely, but for now, I'm back to my normal life."
As for getting back to competition, Kaufman said she'll tee it up next week in an Annika Women's All Pro Tour (WAPT) event, something she never thought she'd do but is looking forward to it.
As lonely as life on the road can be at times, recovery at home was lonely, too. She remains grateful for every phone call, text and hug.
"I played on the LPGA Tour for seven years, then played (Epson Tour) for a few years," said Kaufman. "I know everyone, but this tour, especially, they were incredible. Honestly, to say they were the ones that have less, but were the ones who were giving more, which was really cool and just speaks to these girls. They just step up, and that's why it's been fun to come back and just say thank you to people."
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Newsweek
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Miami Herald
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The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
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