Danny Cox and his younger brother, Charlie McGowan, play a game on Danny's phone outside his granny unit, which has been adapted to meet his needs.
A benefit golf tournament is planned for Sept. 9 to help a Petaluma teenager paralyzed in a diving accident last year receive additional stem cell treatments in Panama City.
The Second Annual Danny Cox Benefit Golf Tournament will be held at Rooster Run Golf Course, at 2301 E. Washington St., to raise funds for the Petaluma High School graduate who suffered a broken neck and was paralyzed from the chest down after doing a flat dive into shallow water at Lake Tahoe on Aug. 10.
The golf tournament is one of several local fund-raising events that have been organized to help Cox's family pay medical expenses as he tries to regain some of his physical functions. He has traveled to Panama City twice for stem-cell treatments, and after the second treatment he regained motor functions in a pinkie finger and his right tricep.
“Now, a year later, Danny has not plateaued in terms of physical and nerve progress,” said Maureen McGowan, his mother. “All in all, Danny has literally broken through the prognosis given by the docs treating him, and continues to push past his limitations.
“If he can regain control of his bladder, bowels and other fingers, he will be able to live independently.”
A $150 entry fee that includes green fees and carts will be charged for the golf tournament, which will begin at 1 p.m. Autoworld Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Petaluma is offering a 2011 Dodge Durango for anyone who shoots a hole in one.
Complimentary food will be offered and beverages will be available for purchase.
Immediately following the tournament, an awards reception and prize raffle will take place at Graffiti restaurant, at 101 Second St.
Anyone wishing to sign up for the tournament can do so at www.Dannycox707.com. More information can be obtained by calling Kelli Maciel at 280-4376.
(Contact Dan Johnson at dan.johnson@arguscourier.com)