Golfers Making a Difference One Hole at a Time

By Melissa Maynarich, NEWS 9

EDMOND, Oklahoma -- Oklahomans are raising awareness of a serious auto-immune disease by taking it to the greens.

"It affects a ton of Oklahomans. A lot of us are walking around with it and don't even know it," said Jon Hansen, who played a lupus awareness gold tournament at KickingBird Golf Club.

Researchers believe one and a half million Americans have the disease, but the golfers at the KickingBird tournament are learning that the number is an estimate.

"Lupus is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks yourself. It can involve one organ, or many organs. It can attack your skin," said Lea Jensen, Lupus Foundation.

And for the woman who the golfers are playing in memory of, the disease was terminal.

Lynn Dunnagin's was an avid golfer, so friend and family decided a golf tournament in her honor would be the best way to both remember Lynn and to raise awareness for the thousands of others who suffer from the disease.

"She was just always giving to others. She always had time for everyone. She was very involved in organizations that benefited children," said Janna Hall, Lynn's daughter.

Oklahoma City firefighter Jon Hansen was on the gold course because his 17-year-old daughter has the disease.

"Good days, bad days, and I think that's true with all lupus patients. You'll have a day you feel like conquering the world, and the next day you can't even get out of bed. So it's one of those diseases that takes it's toll on you personally and mentally as well as physically," Hansen said.

The money raised on the course from each player and each of their mulligan's supports the Oklahoma chapter of the Lupus Foundation.

"We have physicians referral. We have support groups. We have awareness campaigns. We provide literature," Jensen said.

These Oklahomans are set on making a difference one hole at a time.