The Judy Wiginton Story

Known for being one of the infamous “Pink Ladies” in a crazy pink costume at the two-day annual golf tournament, Judy Wiginton is committed to seeing the end of breast cancer – one swing at a time.

Judy stood by her mother’s side as she battled breast cancer. “I lost my mother to breast cancer that metastasized to her lungs in 1977. She was a young 67,” Judy shares. The memory of those days is still fresh and keeps Judy faithful to her annual mammograms and fearless approach to life. “I believe in positive thinking – I am NOT going to get breast cancer.”

In 1995, Judy played in her first golf tournament with WPFT after an invitation from her friend Kim Stepp. “It truly touched my heart and soul,” she says. Thoughts of her mom were not far from her mind as she heard testimonies from other women and the stories of Elaine Lustig and Shelia Solomon.

“The following year, I asked if I could join WPFT, not knowing what part I would be able to play, but wanting so much to help in some way.” Judy helped Gale Hillenmeyer and Jeanne Henderson run one of the golf tournaments and has continued to play in the tournament for the past 13 years.

Even her husband, Joe Wiginton, has recently joined the fun. For the past five years, he and his good friend, Ray Svoboda, have volunteered to be the “Margarita Men.” For the two-day tournament, they happily donate their time and energy to drive the golf course and serve the women margaritas, chips, candy, water and soft drinks. In competition with the “Bloody Mary Men,” the men match any tips they receive to help raise more funds to defeat cancer.

When Joe and Judy decided to make a charitable gift from their family,
the choice became obvious. “We have cancer in our family,” Judy
shares. “It is awful. We are proud and honored to be involved with
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando and WPFT.”