Mary Kate Sullivan Golf Classic turning tragedy into charity this Sunday, August 2nd and New Berlin Hills

Mary Kate Sullivan was the daughter of a Milwaukee Police Department Sergeant who passed away on August 5, 2012, at the age of 35, after a life long battle with Juvenile Diabetes.

Each year, a golf outing held in her honor, is hosted to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Mary Kate's mother and best friend were special lives guests Thursday on the CBS 58 News at 4:30 p.m. 

\"When Mary Kate was diagnosed at four, were hopeful research it would be ten years and research would have a cure,\" Maureen Sullivan told CBS 58 News. \"That didn't happen. But, we're still hopeful.\"

The Mary Kate Classic has raised $16,000 so far.

Mary Kate lost her sight at 19.

\"When she lost her sight, we looke dfor ways to keep her active and we took her to golf lessons.\"

Mary Kate would go on to graduate from college and get a masters degree and pursue a career.

But because of the toll Type 1 diabetes takes on a patient's organs, Mary Kate passed away at age 35.

In fact, Type 1 diabetes reduces a person's life expectancy by an estimated 20 years.

80 people a day are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. 

JDRF is the leading diabetes foundation funding T1D research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D.

JDRF is currently sponsoring $530 million in scientific research in 17 countries. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more than $110 million to T1D research.

The entry fee for the golf includes raffle and drink tickets and lunch.

There's also a dinner at 5:15 p.m. for those who don't want to golf but still want to be a part of the festivities and give back.

The event is this Sunday, August 2, 2015 at the New Berlin Hills Golf Course.

There will be a special march with St. Patrick of Milwaukee, Pete Fleming (MPD retired) and a bagpiper to get the golf going .

Midwest Fleadh Cheoil Singing Champion (2010) and CBS 58 Anchor Michele McCormack will also be on hand for the march and the dinner. Perhaps she'll share a song or two. And convince you to join in. 

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