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ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER CELEBRATING $41 MILLION IN CHARITABLE GIVING VOL 3, ISSUE 2 • JUNE 2015 Letter from ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS FOUNDATION DEBBIE CASTALDO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN Entering my seventh As this year’s youth baseball season draws to an season with the Arizona end, we want to say thank you to our fans for KEN KENDRICK Diamondbacks, I realize supporting the D-backs Give Back 50/50 raffle! PRESIDENT now that creating a Thanks to you, an amazing 62 leagues and more MIKE KENNEDY culture of philanthropy than 30,000 players and coaches took the field VICE PRESIDENT takes time. Over those wearing their very own quality D-backs uniforms. DERRICK M. HALL seven years, D-backs That is a $1-million dollar donation to youth TREASURER players, partners, sports in Arizona. This year’s expansion was TOM HARRIS employees and fans made possible thanks to charitable support from SECRETARY have become united in Western Refining, Fry’s and Tide who stepped up DEBBIE CASTALDO the quest to help the to the plate, allowing the Arizona Diamondbacks ADVISORS community. Whether Foundation to more than double the number of CHARLES JOHNSTON it is the recent D-backs participating leagues! More kids playing baseball DEAN SHORT Race Against Cancer presented by Dignity Health and softball are dreams come true, and the and the University of Arizona Cancer Center at St. D-backs could not do it without our partners BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joseph’s Hospital, the 50/50 Raffle supported by and our fans. Most importantly, thank you to the BRIAN BOOKER dedicated volunteers who make these leagues so Western Refining, or the recent Hunger Heroes AMY COHN Night sponsored by Arizona Milk Producers – special. The countless hours that are dedicated GARRY HAYS “D-backs Give Back” has become our shared to coaching, concession stands, fundraising and MICHAEL HILGERS mission, our culture, and our way to unite. field maintenance cannot be overlooked – you are CULLEN MAXEY the real heroes! BRAD NELSEN The D-backs Race Against Cancer has a special PATRICK PAUL place in my heart. After losing my Mom to cancer As we think of heroes, we would be remiss if we in 2006 and reflecting on the cancer battles of so did not acknowledge the amazing fans that filled JIM SCUSSEL many of my immediate family members, I felt the more than 15 giant boxes of food during our FELIPE ZUBIA need to create something meaningful where those recent Hunger Heroes Food Drive at Chase Field ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS FOUNDATION that have been impacted by the disease could sponsored by Arizona Milk Producers. Playing EXECUTIVE COUNCIL take action. When our President & CEO Derrick off the theme of Super Hero Night, the Arizona TAMMY BAKER - ARIZONA MILK PRODUCERS Hall was diagnosed with prostate cancer at such Diamondbacks Foundation decided to bring DEBBIE CASTALDO - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS an early age – I knew we had to act. During our awareness to the complex problem of feeding MARK CAVANAUGH - FIRETRACE USA early brainstorming sessions, many described the children during the summer months – when HAMILTON ESPINOSA - DPR CONSTRUCTION cancer battle as a race against the clock. One school breakfast and lunch programs are not DAVID FITZGERALD - UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX must be diagnosed early, search for the latest available to most families. Thanks to wonderful VICKI FIORELLI - IHEARTMEDIA treatment, weigh the options and hope and pray support from Arizona Milk Producers and our BRETT HANSEN - FOX SPORTS ARIZONA for more time as medical advancements continue. countless donations of cash and food from our The concept for the D-backs Race Against Cancer fans, Desert Mission Food Bank, St. Vincent de TOM HATTEN - MOUNTAINSIDE FITNESS is a literal and figurative way for the D-backs Paul and Mom’s Pantry will receive more than PAUL KELLY - PARKER AND SONS and our fans to take action. I could not be more $15,000 in food and donations on behalf of the CULLEN MAXEY - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS grateful for the guidance of Dignity Health and the Arizona Diamondbacks family. D-backs Give Back! SHAWN MCCLAIN - SAFELITE team from the UA Cancer Center at St. Joseph’s TOM MEEKS - ERICKSON & MEEKS ENGINEERING for sharing our vision of creating an event where JUDD NORRIS - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS real support is offered and quality information is Sincerely, PAUL ORTIZ - WILKINSON FLOORING available. Facing cancer is a scary and daunting SANDI PEREZ - DELTA DENTAL journey and Dignity Health is committed to MIKE REINA - SOUTHERN WINE AND SPIRITS delivering world-class care for those facing MIKE ROSS - GALLAGHER AND KENNEDY this difficult path. Each year, the starting line RACHEL SAHLMAN - is emotional. If you have not seen it firsthand, APS I encourage you to join us as the finish line is DENNIS SCULLY - D2 PRODUCTIONS simply overwhelming. As cancer survivors, family Debbie Castaldo MAX SIRSTINS - SANDERSON FORD members and friends cross that finish line – one Vice President, Corporate and Community Impact MO STEIN - HKS ARCHITECTS can truly appreciate the commitment to celebrate KERRI WHITE - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS and honor the memory of those they love. Victory. dbacks com/community RECENT EVENTS 3RD ANNUAL D-BACKS RACE AGAINST CANCER Each year on Father’s Day, the D-backs join every Major League Baseball club to raise funds for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer awareness is important across all of Major League Baseball, but it really hits home in Arizona because D-backs President and CEO, Derrick Hall, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011. On Saturday, May 2nd the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation hosted its third annual D-backs Race Hall successfully beat the disease and is now cancer-free, but Against Cancer at Chase Field, presented by the University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity his journey did not end there. He has used his diagnosis as a Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. The 5k race and 1-mile Banana Boat Family Fun platform to educate on the importance of early detection and Walk began and ended at Chase Field, with participants winding their way through the streets of to support those fighting cancer. The Derrick Hall Pro-State downtown Phoenix and taking a victory lap around the field. Foundation provides the outreach necessary to help patients and With the support of over 2,000 participants, including the D-backs own J.J. Putz and Luis Gonzalez, their loved ones with information regarding treatment options, the event raised more than $225,000 that will benefit the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation – available sources of social support and appropriate exercise and with proceed benefitting Arizona non-profits that provide screening, treatment and support for diet regimens that allow them to maintain a “pro” state of mind. those dealing with cancer. To learn more visit www.pro-state.org The true highlight of the event was the stories of those running and walking in support of the cause. Elements of the D-backs uniforms, including wristbands and The top male finisher, Michael Simmons, ran on behalf of his grandmother, who lost her battle to ribbon decals, are worn to honor and support those dealing cancer just over a year ago. The top female finisher, Penny Fenn, drove all the way from Cottonwood with prostate cancer and its effects. On Father’s Day, charitable to participate on behalf of her grandfather. proceeds from the D-backs Authentics shop at section 141 will benefit Derrick Hall’s Pro-State Foundation. Purchase tickets at One of the most inspirational stories of the day was the Hallsey family, who were participating dbacks.com/giveback with $2 from every ticket sold supporting in support of their son Tyler, who passed away just 10 months ago from DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic the Pro-State Foundation. Additionally, fans can donate online at Pontine Glioma). D-backs legend Luis Gonzalez, affectionately known as Gonzo, led the Hallsey dbacks.com/donate team “Gonzo’s Team 4 Tyler” in the 5K in support of Tyler. Since its start in 2013, the D-backs Race Against Cancer has raised over $625,000 to support the Arizona community. PAGE 2 VOL 3, ISSUE 2 • JUNE 2015 dbacks com/community OFFICIAL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER OF THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT WATER SAFETY HUNGER AWARENESS NIGHT PRESENTED BY ARIZONA MILK PRODUCERS AWARENESS PRESENTED BY AOT The statistics are staggering—drowning is the number one cause of preventable deaths in Arizona. While many escape the summer heat by climbing into the pool, too The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and food banks: Desert Mission Food Bank, Mama’s many Arizonans are at risk near the water because they Arizona Milk Producers teamed up to host Pantry and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. cannot swim. The Arizona Diamondbacks, City of Phoenix Hunger Awareness Night at Chase Field. In addition to 15 cases of food, more than Fire and City of Phoenix Aquatics are teaming up to Hunger Awareness Night, presented by Arizona $700 in donations were collected to support encourage Water Safety Awareness this summer. With Milk Producers, was designed to spotlight one the purchase milk—the most-requested, but the support of AOT, the D-backs are expanding access to of Arizona’s most prevalent issues. In Arizona, least-donated item at food banks. With the swim lessons in the Valley. In addition to normal hours hunger affects one in three children, one in support of Arizona Milk Producers, the Arizona in June and July, select City of Phoenix pools will open five Arizonans and one in seven seniors. The Diamondbacks Foundation awarded the three on weekends in August to offer swim lessons for as low event included a “Be A Hunger Hero” food participating food banks with $2,500 to as $3 per lesson.