Miami Marlins players, executives and fans recently stepped up to raise funds and awareness for the Miami Children’s Hospital Cancer Center.
Left fielder Logan Morrison, who recently visited the children at the hospital, convinced several of his teammates, as well as Marlins president David Samson, Marlins Foundation president Alfredo Mesa and fans to shave their heads and make a donation before the July 14 game to support the “Bald, Brave, Beautiful” project at Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. More than 30 cancer patients from Camp UOTS at Miami Children’s Hospital were on hand to see that being bald represents strength and beauty.
“Logan and I were talking about this,” Samson said. “We were talking about all the kids in Miami Children’s Hospital who don’t have a choice to wear their hair like this. We all have a choice, and we’re lucky. We decided to show some unity and raise some money.”
A number of players, including Justin Ruggiano, Heath Bell, Steve Cishek, Chad Gaudin, Greg Dobbs and Scott Cousins, had their hair cut right on the West Plaza outside the ballpark. Hitting coach Eduardo Perez also took part. “So many people are doing this,” Samson said. “So many front-office people and players, and there are some 50, 60 kids here who are saying, ‘Wow, you really care about us this much, to not just raise money but to look like we look.’ So it was an easy decision to do.”
For Morrison the ties to the cause led back to his father, Tom, whom he lost to cancer in 2010.
“These kids go through way worse things than I could imagine, and I’m very honored and proud to be able to shave my head and help them out anyway I can,” Morrison said in an interview with WSVN.
“We are very honored to be a part of this community. The Marlins players voluntarily doing this shows their level of involvement in the community and they care for the children that have had cancer,” said Dr. M. Narendra Kini, president and CEO, Miami Children’s Hospital. One child said, “I appreciate it a lot. You know, we’ve been through a lot. It shows that they understand us. It means a lot.”
Conducted July 13-15, Marlins Charity Weekend benefited Miami Children’s Hospital. Several physicians including Trevor Resnick, MD, and Guillermo DeAngulo, MD, were interviewed on the television broadcasts. Additionally, Athena Pefkarou, MD, was presented with the State Farm Go to Bat Award for her work on behalf of the cancer patients, and Steven Swirsky, MD, threw out the first pitch at the Friday game.
“We are challenging celebrities, community leaders and everyone who shares our vision of eliminating childhood cancers to set a fundraising goal and raise donations in exchange for shaving your head,” said Lucy Morillo-Agnetti, president and CEO, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation. “By raising funds and becoming ‘Bald, Brave, Beautiful,’ you can make a difference because kids and chemo do not mix.”
To make a donation and join the fight against children’s cancer, visit <www.mchf.org/baldbravebeautiful>.
