Rocky Start Foundation Kicks Off Fourth Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Proceeds benefit Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at
University Children’s Hospital, UCI Medical Center

Orange, Calif., August 29, 2005 – The Fourth Annual Rocky Start Foundation Charity Golf Tournament, benefiting the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at University Children’s Hospital, UCI Medical Center, is set for Monday, Sept. 19, at Pelican Hill Golf Club. To date, the annual event has raised more than $190,000 for the neonatal unit in Orange. 

“Thanks to the expertise of the neonatal staff at UCI, our son Rocky is alive today,” said Roscoe Moore, foundation cofounder and CEO of Moore Electrical Contracting, Inc. of Corona, Calif. “His ‘Rocky Start’ and amazing success story inspired us to start the foundation and this annual golf tournament.” 

The two-man scramble tournament is expected to draw more than 100 golfers to the prestigious Pelican Hill course in Newport Coast. Information about participation and sponsorship levels is available from the Rocky Start Foundation at 888-Rocky20 (888-762-5920), or at: www.rockystart.org.  

Registration begins at 11 a.m. and play begins at 1 p.m. Following the tournament, the foundation will host a dinner, silent auction and awards ceremony. This year’s tourney is underwritten by presenting sponsors Moore Electric and Rohm Insurance. Other sponsors include Foothill Ranch Chevrolet, Allen Cadillac-GMC and Caliber Motors. 

“This is the one charity golf tournament that will impact the lives of hundreds of babies in Southern California,” said Barbara Moore, Rocky’s mother and foundation cofounder.  “Because of the generosity of our tournament participants, the foundation has purchased sophisticated equipment that helps the smallest and sickest infants. 

“One example is the RetCam—a noninvasive device that measures oxygen levels in the eye. With this equipment, doctors can determine the risk of blindness and vision complications due to premature birth,” she added. “We’ve also donated some transcutaneous devices that minimize the poking and prodding of tiny, fragile bodies.” 

Now almost five years old, Rocky was born prematurely with lungs that were not fully developed.  His serious respiratory difficulties were coupled with a heart valve that did not close. Just minutes after his birth, an emergency transport team whisked him from an area community hospital to the NICU at UCI Medical Center.

Following a 13-day fight for life, Rocky was released from UCI Medical Center. He joined his twin brother, Hank; sister, Anjolie; and parents at their Yorba Linda home. Today, Rocky is a very happy, healthy child. 

About UCI Medical Center:  UCI Medical Center is the only university hospital in Orange County, offering acute- and general-care service.  It has the county's only Level I trauma center, American College of Surgeons-verified regional burn center and National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Included in its University Children's Hospital is the county's most sophisticated neonatal unit, caring for more than 500 premature and at-risk infants a year. UCI also is the only hospital in Orange County recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s annual listing of “America’s Best Hospitals” and to receive Magnet Designation for nursing excellence.