VALDOSTA — Cancer is a devastating disease, and the fight against cancer is a big deal to a lot of people.

That’s why over 200 golfers are competing this week in the annual American Cancer Society golf tournament at Stone Creek Golf Club. Close to 60 four-man teams are playing in the three-day tournament.

Ashley Paulk knows first-hand the devastation that cancer can cause. He lost his father and his sister to cancer, and another sister is a cancer survivor.

And he has known many other cancer victims.

That is why Paulk, who was the sheriff of Lowndes County for 16 years before retiring in 2008 and becoming the county commission chairman, is such a big supporter of the American Cancer Society.

He has been the chairman of the American Cancer Society’s annual golf tournament in Valdosta for 28 years.

“It’s hard to find a family that hasn’t been touched in some way by cancer,” Paulk said.

Like Paulk, R.D. Swain has seen the devastating effects of cancer. His brother-in-law lost his battle with cancer earlier this week, and his brother Edward is currently fighting cancer.

Swain has happily volunteered at the ACS golf tournament since 1996, but now cancer hits home more for him, and he is even prouder to give his time to the cause.

“This is a good thing. There are people that need it,” Swain said. “My brother-in-law just died of cancer, and my brother’s got it now. They gave him 4-6 months (to live). It’s really more special now. I love volunteering, because it’s for a good cause, and you’re helping people.

“Mr. Paulk has done this for mega-years. People need this. Cancer kills people, and (this tournament) is raising money to help combat it some way. I’ll do this until I can’t do it no more.”

Jud Moritz, who played in the tournament on Thursday, has also been affected by cancer. His father has battled colon cancer for around four years. Despite the cancer, his father, a local dentist, continues to maintain his practice, and is trying to live his life as normally as possible. Dr. Moritz was a longtime supporter of the ACS golf tournament before he got cancer. It means a lot to Jud to see the support the tournament receives.

“It means a lot more (now),” Jud Moritz said. “I used to play in it just for the fun of it. Now it touches your heart more when someone in your family (has cancer). I’ve got a close family friend now who’s got it, and another family member on my wife’s side who’s got prostate cancer. I feel like I’m trying to contribute (by playing in the tournament).

“I’d say cancer has affected just about everybody around, whether it be your dad or a family member or a close friend. Hopefully they’ll find a cure for it all one day.”

For Ashley Braswell, the Lowndes County Community Manager of the American Cancer Society, cancer is the focus of her career. But it’s also something that hits home for her. Braswell’s grandfather died of cancer, and her mother is a cancer survivor.

“To see humanity come together and do what we were meant to do, it’s very touching. People are helping other people they may never even lay eyes on,” she said. “This also shows hope, because it shows the community coming together for the same cause — to end this disease.”

The 2009 American Cancer Society tournament wraps up today with a 1 p.m. shotgun start at Stone Creek. It is the third and final day of the tournament.

This year’s tournament is expected to raise between $30,000-40,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“The money from the golf tournament goes for programs and services. The bulk of the money goes to the ACS in general for research,” Braswell said. “Our mission statement has always been directed towards eliminating the disease. (Research) is the top thing we give to. We also have five or six programs locally that assist with quality of life, and then we also have money that goes into advocacy to keep laws in place to help insurance companies cover screenings and things like that.

“Where we are now with cancer research, compared with where we were 30 years ago (is great). We’re seeing a decrease in the mortality rate for the second or third year in a row, and that says the medicines are better and the technologies are better. And we know more about cancer in general. We’re closer than we ever have been.”

During the past 28 years, the Valdosta tournament has become one of the biggest American Cancer Society tournaments in the state of Georgia. So big, in fact, that it is now a three-day tournament, just so that every team that wants to compete has a chance. There are close to 60 four-man teams competing this year.

“People just gravitate to a cancer tournament,” Paulk said on Wednesday. “Every nickel (from this tournament) goes to cancer. It’s very worthwhile. It’s a very good cause.”

This year’s tournament is dedicated to Mary Jean Holland, a longtime Lowndes County resident who lost her battle with cancer in March.

“She was a wonderful lady. She was a giver. Her last weeks of life, she was laying in bed and worried about other people,” Paulk said.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer causes about 13 percent of all human deaths. It is an enemy that almost everyone wants to see defeated, and the American Cancer Society has devoted millions of dollars and countless hours to finding a cure.

“Some day, they’re going to find a cure for cancer, and I hope I’m part of it,” Paulk said. “I would love to see it.”

“Anything that can be done to help find a cure for it, I think, is a great thing,” Moritz said.

For more information on the American Cancer Society, visit their Web site, www.cancer.org.