Every bit helps, says John Conklin.
"No donation is too small," he says as he talks about an Oct. 2 golf tournament he’s organizing to raise funds for April Porter who is fighting cancer.

Conklin knows what it’s like; he’s been there.
The tournament has a slogan — "Playing golf to help others" — and it’s named after his daughter: The Third Annual Heather Conklin Huth Golf Tournament.
Last year, for the second annual tournament, the funds went to help Anthony Hill, another Hilltown youth who is fighting cancer. "He just turned 17 this summer," said Conklin.
Huth’s own child, Heather, was diagnosed with a blood-related cancer five years ago, he said. "I organized the first tournament to help her and her husband with medical expenses," said Conklin.
Things have worked out well for Andrew and Heather Huth, who married in the midst of her cancer treatment. "They call it cured," said her father.

Heather Huth is now working as a biology researcher in a local laboratory, he said.
"My wife and I just looked at each other this morning," said Conklin, with a wide smile spreading across his face. "In the spring, it will be five years since they married."

Now it’s time to help someone else.

April Porter, a 2005 Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School graduate was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 2003. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments and was considered in remission until a checkup in January of 2005 revealed a relapse. She is currently starting a third cycle of chemotherapy and preparing for a peripheral stem cell treatment.

"We have fun"

Although the tournament has a serious purpose, the afternoon will be fun, Conklin said. The tournament, at Hiawatha Trails in Guilderland, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 2, and will be postponed to Oct. 16 if it rains.
The greens fee is $12 per person and the entry fee is $50. "All of that fifty dollars goes directly to April," said Conklin. "No costs are taken out of that."

People who don’t play golf can contribute directly to: April Porter, 13 Pine Park Road, Berne, NY 12023.

Local businesses are donating gift certificates for a drawing, and there will be hot dogs, hamburgers, and baked goods to eat.

Two friends of Conklin, Pat Timme and Barry Udell, are helping with the tournament. For more information or to play, golfers can all Conklin at 872-0681, Timme at 573-2120, or Udell at 369-2089.
"People can call one of those numbers or just show up," said Conklin.
"We have fun playing golf," he said. "We get a little crazy...Some people come to play seriously and some don’t even care if they hit the ball."
Conklin, who works as a gym teacher for the Office of Children and Family Services, says of his own skill level, "I’m in between."
He concluded of organizing the tournament, "It makes me feel good. It makes me feel I can give something back to help somebody else."