The Fourth Annual Danielle Kirrane Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at Dyker Golf Course in Brooklyn—with “shotgun” tee-off set to kick off at 8 a.m.
One-hundred percent of proceeds will go to ALS United of Greater NY, first responders in need through esteemed charities like the Gary Sinise Foundation, and additional terminal illness-based causes. All donations can be made to the Danielle Kirrane Foundation.
Kirrane, a Lake Ronkonkoma native and St. Anthony’s High School Class of 2000 graduate, passed away on February 23, 2021, after her four-year illness at only 38 years old. Danielle is survived by husband Tommy, a New York City firefighter; daughter Anna, who just celebrated her 10th birthday a couple of weeks ago; and a vast network of extended family and friends whose support has now carried on to others dealt similar blows.
By all accounts, Danielle–so devout in her duties and love as a mother, that she made sure to pack in as many wonderful memories with Anna as possible in their brief, but nevertheless impactful time together—fought exactly like she lived: ferociously. In fact, “Live Like a Lion” serves as the event’s official slogan.
What started as a minor limp for Kirrane gradually deteriorated until all limb usage was lost. Infinite rounds of medical evaluations and remedies were consulted and tried. Though wheelchaired at the end, Kirrane still had the entirety of her mental faculties–which included her sharp wit, ability to turn a punchline out of a gut-punch, and most of all, the ability to leave nothing unsaid to the ones she loved most—when she died at home and in her sleep amidst stem cell trials.
In conjunction with his FDNY brethren and contacts originally made on his and Danielle’s search for answers while seeking renewals of health and peace of mind for the latter, Tommy and company know the tall order, the bleak odds going in: no one seems to beat this thing.
Yet, this has ceased to prevent a single person involved with this particular 501(c) non-profit from giving it their all, year in and year out, as the organization grows in reach every year; for that’s how Danielle operated every day of her life.
“We are so humbled by the overwhelming support that we have received over the past three years,” Tommy Kirrane told The South Shore Press. “Danielle lived every day fighting her diagnosis, fighting to live, and we are honored to continue the fight by supporting those who have to face their fate. We encourage everyone to join us in this fight. Please know that no donation amount is too small when it comes to helping someone else.”
Little was known about ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) when it was christened “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” after the legendary New York Yankee first baseman came down with the fatal affliction. “The Iron Horse’s” shocking self-removal from the lineup came after he played in every inning for nearly a decade-and-a-half. His 2,130 games-played streak served as an MLB record until Cal Ripken, Jr. surpassed him in 1995.
Gehrig’s voluntary muscle movement control was rendered strangely no more. Such motor neuron attacks, and rapid diminishing of bodily strength overall, are among the gravest symptoms one can expect when diagnosed with ALS.
Thanks to what the Yankee captain demonstrated with iconic fervor in his chilling, “Today, I consider myself, the luckiest man, on the face of the Earth,” retirement speech on July 4, 1939, the terminally ill community in general can emphatically concur: there is nobility in fighting. That even in death, there is living, and there sure is meaning.
“To me, the golf outing is not about golf. It’s about raising awareness for the disease that took my sister from me,” said Danielle’s younger brother and one of the event’s organizers, Anthony DeLisio, aged 29. A lifelong Yankee fan who currently amateur-competes in the Long Island Stan Musial Men’s Baseball League, DeLisio notes that the hallowed Gehrig lore—which registered less like fact, and more like a Hollywood fairytale as a kid—holds even greater weight in his heart now.
While most would turn to the ball field for a total escape from the uncontrollable circumstances that befall them in the real world, DeLisio pursues one of his primary competitive leisure activities of choice—he’ll be amongst those out on the links on Wednesday—with a heightened gratefulness for what he has, and for who is no longer with us that he plays for doubly these days.
“We have raised tens of thousands of dollars every year,” he adds, “and will continue to do so in the hope that our efforts stop this disease from affecting another family.”
Last year, a major beneficiary was Greg “Mickey” Hansen (photographed alongside Tommy and Anna Kirrane above). Having rushed to the aid of many on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on 9/11 before he was even a firefighter, The Staten Island resident received a $5,000 check at the 2023 memorial outing to help with health and homecare amidst his ALS plight. Hansen, his wife and their two young children received a mortgage-free home, modified to accommodate his wheelchair, shortly thereafter through “Tunnel 2 Towers,” according to Silive.com.
On the ball field, in a burning building, in all fights at large and on the homefront, some even too close to home for comfort, if a battle in isolation seems lost, a greater victory in the big-picture war just may be in the works. Therefore, those who fight—both the departed, and those who remain—ought to not be considered to have fought for naught. No, they fought so those who must fight next get to fight a little less; until one day, maybe burdens such as this one can be lifted off all chests, altogether.
Fittingly enough, top-flight New York sports memorabilia will line the tables of the main pavilion where all golfing foursomes (closed) registered will meet the rest for a barbecue luncheon ($85 per person, open for all) at 1 p.m. This includes, but is not limited to: a David Cone-signed perfect game photo, a Don Larsen-signed perfect game ball, a Lawrence Taylor-signed Giants jersey, and a Mike Piazza-signed baseball.
Jimmy Choo perfume, Skin Fusion spa and Bark Box pet baskets, an Invicta watch, and Long Island Ducks tickets are amongst some additional prizes on the day. Sponsors include Project Glimmer, Tito’s Vodka, and A Kind of Magic—“your place for providing travel and Disney adventure packages.”
A 3-hour open bar will lead into and through the “50/50” drawings ($10) and additional raffle calls. Last year’s 50/50 winner took home $5,000.
One of the top-selling donors in New York State since it started, the Danielle Kirrane Foundation typically brings in about $40,000.
Last year? A whopping $70,000.
They will seek to surpass this total come next week, but they cannot do it alone. They need your help.
More information on how to get involved can be found at DanielleKirraneFoundation.com, on Facebook (Danielle Kirrane Foundation) and on Instagram (@daniellekirranefoundation).
"The foundation isn’t limited to ALS, although that’s where it’s focused,” Deana Boles, 38, Danielle’s sister and social media coordinator of the forthcoming festivities, reiterates. “Donations are, and can be made to anybody battling a terminal illness.”