Tourney to benefit muscular dystrophy

    ORONO — A golf tournament and silent auction will be held later this month in memory of John P. Bishop of Castine and dedicated to raise awareness and support research of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an often fatal genetic disorder that targets children.     Bishop, who died last December, has a grandson who is diagnosed with Duchenne. Inspired by Bishop’s personal commitment to find a cure, friends and family have organized the Sept. 25 event to aid the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy organization in its fight to better understand the disease and improve care and long-term outlook for young patients.
    Skip Chappelle of Veazie, who is co-chairing the event, had worked with Bishop for the Bangor Publishing Company since 1993 but their close friendship was developed during their annual golf outings and family get-togethers.
    “John wanted so much to make a difference for his grandson Jack and others who are stricken so early in life. Picking up the ball where our friend left off is a labor of love without question,” said Chappelle.
    Bishop had forged a relationship with staff at Maine’s Jackson Laboratory in their drive to make an immediate impact on Duchenne research and development of treatment and a cure. Their efforts also assisted ongoing work at the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health, a collaboration of Jackson Lab, the University of Maine at Orono and Eastern Maine Healthcare.
    Co-chairing the fund-raiser with Chappelle is Roger Tremblay of Fort Fairfield, director of operations at Northeast Publishing Company in Presque Isle where Bishop worked as publisher/general manager during the 1970s and early ‘80s. The Bishops’ three daughters, Amanda, Jennifer and Kate attended Presque Isle schools and Pat Bishop founded Key Realty during their time in Aroostook County.
    “As a close friend, I know that while John would not want the attention on him, he would be pleased with our efforts to increase the awareness of Duchenne for his grandson Jack,” said Tremblay.
    The site of the memorial golf tournament will be Penobscot Country Club in Orono. The day begins with registration from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., lunch will be provided prior to the 12:30 p.m. shotgun start for the 18-hole golf scramble. Immediately following the tournament, a reception, silent auction, dinner and awards ceremony will be held.
    There are three ways to get involved: golfers may put together a foursome and enjoy the entire day for $400 per team; supporters can attend the auction and dinner only for $25 per person; or, if a person is unable to attend, they may consider a monetary donation.
    To register for the John P. Bishop Memorial Tournament or to make a donation, call Northeast Publishing Company at 800-924-9041, (207) 764-4471 or online at www.starherald-me.com
    Jackson Laboratory (www.jax.org) focuses on mammalian genetics research with a strong program investigating cancer, muscular dystrophy and other genetic diseases. The Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health (www.mainegenetics.org) is creating and testing novel approaches for improving patient care in cancer and other chronic diseases.