When Jami Morris' mom, Dana, was diagnosed with lymphoma during 2020, Jami committed to help her mother throughout the treatment process. Jami and her dad, Scott, became Dana's primary caretakers, driving her to and from appointments, picking her up at the hospital, and communicating with Dana's oncologists to always be with her every step of the way.
Jami took classes virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic's peak and her many sacrifices provided her mom with the best odds to conquer the disease. Now, with Dana cancer free, Jami is determined to make an impact so future families know they are not alone in their journey.
"When I was a freshman, sophomore in high school, I really wanted to make a difference in the world," Jami said. "I think just through golf, I figured out that I could possibly use my voice in golf to make a difference."
Jami and Dana navigated the rough, unpredictable road together. They developed a special mother and daughter bond that was molded together with an unwavering passion and unique dedication. With Dana recovering, Jami continued to be by her side by helping Dana regain her strength.
"She inspired me to be strong," Dana said. "We sort of lived through really bad moments together and I think we were strong for each other, which made each of us stronger. I think she's an old soul and she knows more about certain things than most 20-year-olds should ever have to know."
As Dana completed her treatment at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Jami called upon a dream she had when she was 16 to use golf to help give back to the place that gave her mom a second chance at life.
Starting the 'Hit Fore Hope' fundraiser at her home course of Beechmont Country Club, Jami took the initiative to organize the first event which took place in the summer of 2022. Despite setting a goal of raising $10,000-$12,000, Jami raised over $71,000 with 100% of the proceeds going to the hospital.
Inspired by her experience at the 2018 Drive, Chip and Putt nationals at Augusta National Golf Course, Jami organized her event in a similar format with each participant hitting three drives, three chips and three putts. Putting in long days and late nights, Jami continues to be inspired by her mom everyday.
"Every time I start thinking about my mom it just warms my heart," Jami said. "She's my best friend. She's been through the absolute unimaginable. If it was my dad, if it was my siblings, it'd be the same way but she's my mom, she gave me life. Her and my dad gave me absolutely everything that I could ever ask for."
In 2023, Jami set out to surpass the impressive mark from 2022 by calling upon more sponsors, donors and creating more awareness for the cause. This year, Jami set the theme for the charity event as, "everyone has a story, be kind," a phrase that's had a substantial impact on her community.
Utilizing the mantra that embodied the journey Dana and Jami embarked on and the kindness Jami showed during Dana's treatment, Jami accomplished a monumental mark of raising $85,000 at the 2023 'Hit Fore Hope' event.
"I think doing the fundraiser is sort of therapeutic for her," Danasaid. "She really does not want other families to have to go through what she did and what my other children had to go through. And unfortunately, they will but you know, she can raise funds to maybe help that journey be a little easier for them when they receive a diagnosis."
While Jami continues her journey at Penn State with an entrepreneurship major, her vision for the future of 'Hit Fore Hope' is bright with plans to expand the event throughout Northeast Ohio and the Cleveland area.
Anticipating multiple tournaments every year in the future, Jami wants to make a long-term impact on both the UH Seidman Cancer Center and the Cleveland Clinic and help bring transportation to those undergoing cancer treatment.
While the future and big dreams are fixating in Jami's mind, she will never forget the grace her mom fought with, even when things weren't easy.
"Just watching her go through all of that and still having a beautiful smile on her face, it just taught me that whatever you're given in life, you can get through it."