Team Bernie McCreesh

Bernie McCreesh was a 65-year-old happily married man with two awesome children, four beautiful and intelligent granddaughters, and two adorable grandsons. He worked at GEICO for 40 years. There are usually three questions people immediately ask. No, he never smoked. No, he never once used dip. Yes, he went to a dentist (and an oral surgeon) regularly, but the easily diagnosed precursors were missed. 

 In 2015, Bernie was diagnosed with stage IV oral cancer, which had spread to his jawbone, two nerves, and his lymphatic system, meaning the tumor was the size of a fist. In June of 2015, he underwent an 11 ½-hour surgery at University of Maryland-Baltimore Hospital, where doctors are doing groundbreaking research and procedures in oral cancer. Throughout Bernie’s three-year battle, he underwent radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, which proved successful in treating metastatic tumors that would arise in his lungs. 

Bernie developed pneumonia in June 2018, which, coupled with the metastasized tumors, constricted his breathing and ultimately took his life on August 3, 2018. Bernie’s courageous three-year battle encourages us to work even harder to raise money to help fund continuing research.

We do everything we can to raise funds and support in hopes that others will not go through the same experience. 

Team Bernie Golf Tournament proceeds go to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry Dental Oncology Clinic, founded by Bernie's team of marvelous doctors and friends.

The Dental Oncology Clinic at the University of Maryland Dental School's mission is to provide comprehensive care for head and neck oncology patients.  Its goal is to educate patients, prepare them for radiation and chemotherapy, as well as to provide support after treatment.  The clinic also provides dental students an opportunity to learn about oral cancer and other malignancies that can affect patients and how to care for them.

All Team Bernie Golf Tournament proceeds will go solely to this clinic, which was started and is currently run by the doctors who helped Bernie and became friends of his throughout his cancer battle. Knowing that 100% of these proceeds will go to this clinic in the future and help those who are battling what Bernie went through is exactly the type of contribution Bernie would have been proud of.

We are excited, as Team Bernie McCreesh, to take on this new way to contribute in the future and look forward to many successful years of working with the University of Maryland Dental School's Dental Oncology Clinic.