Topher Bevis

By Thom Kendall

Caused by abnormal cell growth, malignant tumors are the cause of brain cancer. And although there are no reasons known as to why some develop the disease, certain genetic factors and exposure to radiation and specific chemicals at a young age can increase your risk.

 

In 1998, Patty Bevis lost her battle with brain cancer. Her son, Topher, was only 12.

 

Topher, an incoming senior defenseman at UMass, has since, along with his family, begun the Patty Fund, a non-profit organization in conjunction with Massachusetts General Hospital. The Patty Fund helps raise money for cancer research and has done so for the past three years, through events like the annual charity golf tournament, which was held July 28.

 

Bevis, along with his two older brothers, help his father do planning and set up for the summer tournament months in advance.

 

“Because so many of our family friends are willing to play, every year we simply let everyone know the date and location,” said Topher.

 

“We're at the point now where we are starting to look at other ways during the year where we can really take this charity to the next level.”

 

Bevisis in the process of setting up other fundraisers, like a Patty Fund night at one of his UMass hockey home games.

 

This year’s golf tournament, which raised about $50,000, was an “overall success,” according to Bevis. And even though during the months of planning things went smoothly, he admits to “freaking out” during the week leading up to the tournament.

 

“You hope and pray the weather holds up for a few hours during the day,” he said.

 

Aside from monetary donations, there were other acts of generosity Topher was surprised by, including a donation made by UMass-Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald. Although the coach was absent for the tournament, he donated two season tickets to Lowell home games in the money-raising raffle, along with a pair of Red Sox and Patriots tickets.

 

“With so many generous people out there willing to wait and give their share to the Patty Fund it really makes you step back and see how many great friends our family has,” Bevis said.

 

Although there was a fair share of women at the tournament, Topher remembers “a massive amount of men” putting their raffle tickets into a spa manicure and pedicure gift certificate.

 

“[It] was pretty hilarious. Most of them admitted that it would make their wives happy. It's nice all those men have a soft side.”

 

Aside from MacDonald’s donation to the raffle, there was also a lot of support from his teammates and coaches, and even coach Mark Dennehy from Merrimack. UMass head coach Don “Toot” Cahoon was present for the tournament, Bevis said, despite its being during the summer when a lot of his coaches and teammates are away and cannot participate.

 

“We are trying to move the tournament earlier in the summer to accommodate more coaches and schedules of other people,” he said.

 

While coaches from Hockey East have donated in the past, Bevis said he is working on getting the league more involved.

 

“We have never really gotten a giant outcome from Hockey East … it is a very busy time of year and many of the programs simply cannot play based on their schedules, but we can definitely improve on that,” he said.

 

The non-for-profit organization donates all the money raised to research and development in the study and treatment of brain cancer at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology. The Patty Fund commemorates the life of Topher’s mother, Patricia Ann Bevis, and other victims of brain cancer and their families.

 

“Ever since her passing we have wanted to do something,” Bevis said. “We were big donators to the Cancer Society and the Jimmy Fund, but we always wanted to do something for my mom.”

 

While Bevis admits there’s sometimes a struggle with all he has going on, between school and his athletics, he remains grateful for the generous and kind people who continue to donate time and money to his cause.

 

“Some people choose not to get involved and take part in what we do, and that's their choice. But so many people out there truly want to make a difference and it is special to see that … rarely
do I ever get a ‘no thank you,’” he said.

 

So the fundraising and awareness raising continues, and Bevis has high hopes for the future.

 

“The most important thing for us is that we donate as much as possible every year. At this point we are three years in and are now starting to see the dividend,” Bevis said. “Every year gets better and better.”