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A 501(c)(3) non-profit charity organization
Team Bernie McCreesh
Mission Statement
To bring awareness to and raise funds for organizations committed to diagnosing and treating patients with oral cancer, as well as researching future treatment options.
Learn more about Bernie and who we support
Who is Bernie?
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 surge
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 and encourage early detection.
We do everything we can to raise funds and support in hopes that others will not go through the same experience.
Team Bernie McCreesh Golf Tournament proceeds go to The Bernie McCreesh Oral Cancer Support Fund at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.
The UNC Adams School of Dentistry
For the past 75 years, UNC Adams School of Dentistry has educated the best and brightest oral health care professionals in North Carolina, the nation and beyond. They are a group of dedicated faculty members, engaged students and hard-working staff members committed to encouraging a thriving academic and research environment, providing to
For the past 75 years, UNC Adams School of Dentistry has educated the best and brightest oral health care professionals in North Carolina, the nation and beyond. They are a group of dedicated faculty members, engaged students and hard-working staff members committed to encouraging a thriving academic and research environment, providing top-notch patient care and working at one of the top dental schools in the world.
As the first dental school in North Carolina, graduates are engaged in their communities, active participants in oral health care, innovation and discovery, and work hard to address oral health care inequities in underserved and rural populations across the state and beyond.
The UNC Adams School of Dentistry's mission is to educate and empower the next generation of leaders in oral health care through excellence in education, research, patient care, and service, demonstrating responsible stewardship of our profession. Members of the School's community serve the people of North Carolina and beyond and strive for global impact.
The Bernie McCreesh Oral Cancer Support Fund was established at the UNC Adams School of Dentistry for funds raised in Bernie's memory to go to annually to support oral cancer screenings, research, and advocacy at the School.
Home - UNC School of Dentistry
We are excited, as Team Bernie McCreesh, to contribute and look forward to many successful years of collaborating with, the UNC Adams School of Dentistry.