Lemon Effort Raises Over $1 Million to Fight Cancer
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Photo courtesy of Doc Wierwill
Kate, Max and Jim Lemon.
The surname Lemon raises considerable awareness, especially among those of us "of a certain age" with roots in Green County. Elmer Lemon, a proud 1961 graduate of Monticello High School, founder of the Monticello Foundation and driving force of the Elmer Lemon Gym at his alma mater, needs no introduction. Elmer passed away from cancer in 2018. His son Jim, the focus of this article, passed away in August of 2021, regrettably also from cancer, at age 43.
It is to that end that Jim's wife, Kate Lemon (nee Wierwill), has taken the reins and become active in fundraising for the UW Carbone Cancer Center's Innovation Fund. To date she and a group of Jim's six closest friends, lovingly called "The Lemon Brothers", have raised $1.2 million. While no doubt an important part of their collective and shared grieving process, their stated goal is not only to honor Jim but, more importantly, to help prevent other families in the future from enduring such loss.
The fundraising process started early, when Jim was diagnosed. Slow at the beginning, the "Lemon Brothers" pledged their own monies and were later matched by a generous donation from Mr. Tom Falk, former CEO of Kimberly Clark and longtime Lemon family friend. When Jim passed, the donations grew exponentially. This past September 30th, their collective effort came together to hold a fundraiser, The Jim Lemon Memorial Golf Outing at Nakoma Golf Club, and raised $204,355. The plan is to continue this event on an annual basis.
Earlier, on September 9th of this year, Jim Lemon was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall of Fame. His plaque now adorns the outside of Camp Randall, along with so many other greats. His list of accomplishments exceeds the space allowed here. In brief summary, Jim was captain of the UW golf team 1998-2001; was an Academic All American in 2000 and 2001; played on the PGA Tour Canada 2003-2015; before reaching his professional status, and then returning to amateur status was a 10-time Club Champion at Nakoma Golf Club; was a 2-time WIAA Division 1 State Champion Individual Medalist at Madison West, etc., etc.
Jim's pride and joy was his son Maxwell, now 3 1⁄2 years old. The young man already shows promise with a golf club and no doubt will carry on his father's and family's legacy for years to come.
Donations are always welcome and can be made at https://give.wiscmedicine.org/fundraiser/3152028.
