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Local Hanover family starts fund to support cancer care at UPMC Hanover

The Farley family has always had a presence in Hanover, even before patriarch Ernie Farley opened Farley’s Jeweler’s in 1983. Son Erik Farley took over after Ernie retired and he, along with the Farley's staff, continue to do business in the tight-knit Hanover community.

Outside of their business they have also helped start an annual ladies golf tournament, A Charming Event, presented in partnership with the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation. This year’s tournament will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at Hanover Country Club. What makes this year’s golf tournament different, however, is that all proceeds will support the creation of the Farley Family Fund at the UPMC Pinnacle Foundation to support UPMC Hanover cancer programs and patient services.

The decision was made to start the fund after matriarch Brenda Farley’s journey with breast cancer. Brenda found out she had cancer after a routine visit to her general practitioner. After rounds of testing, it was determined the cancer was highly invasive and she would need a double mastectomy. With support and guidance from Jane Rice, a fixture in the Hanover community and founder of the Hanover Area Breast Cancer Support Group, Brenda went through her double mastectomy and later received an experimental bone marrow transplant. With her husband Ernie as her caregiver, and supporter Jane by her side, Brenda made it through her treatment. “I don’t think I would be here today if not for Jane and the rest of the Hanover community around me.”

Proceeds from the establishment of the Farley Family Fund will stay local to UPMC Hanover. “We wanted to give back to the community anything that we could, and give back to support women’s health after we saw everything I had been through,” Brenda said. “My son Erik said, ‘Mom, I am glad you are okay with it, I think we should do this as a family. I want us to do this for you.’”

If you would like to show your support for the Farley Family Fund, or purchase tickets to this year's ladies golf outing and join them in their mission to support UPMC Hanover cancer services and patient needs, visit bidpal.net/CharmingEvent2021 or contact 717-231-8080.