Bulls Pitcher Arturo Reyes visits with pediatric cancer patients and their siblings on the field before the game on Bulls Vs. Cancer Night, Sunday, September 1, 2019.
The Durham Bulls not only spent Labor Day weekend earning a spot in the playoffs, the team raised awareness and funds for an important cause. On Sunday, September 1, 2019, the Bulls Vs. Cancer game brought in over $4,000 in donations for Vs. Cancer and the Duke Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit at Duke University Hospital (Duke PBMT).
DBBC’s Emily Almond coordinated the Bulls Vs. Cancer Night initiative which culminated with the final Sunday game of the 2019 regular season.
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, which made the Labor Day weekend game a perfect fit for the initiative.
“This organization means so much to me, and I’m so thankful that the Bulls were open to hosting a game here this season!” said Almond.
“We decided to do this night to get more involved in the community and our local hospitals, especially since Durham is the City of Medicine!” she said of the Vs. Cancer initiative at the Bulls. “It only makes sense for us to have a great partnership with our local hospitals.”
In addition to the game night, three of the Bulls players went on a hospital visit to the Duke PBMT. They chose the unit because it is the local program that will benefit from the Bulls’ fundraising efforts.
During the Bulls vs Cancer Night on Sunday, September 1, 2019, Brodie Curtis, one of the Vs. Cancer kids, starred as in the Home Run for Life. At the end of the 4th inning, he came up to bat and hit a home run, high fiving the Bulls on his way down the first base line and the Gwinnett Stripers on his way down the third base line.
50% of all donations will go to fund child life and family support programs at Duke PBMT, while the other 50% will go to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to help fund pediatric brain tumor research.
The Bulls also hosted several families and children who are currently outpatients at Duke PBMT at the ballpark during the September 1st game. They enjoyed the game from one of the Bulls’ suites, since the children’s immune systems are compromised.
Three Vs. Cancer families participated in several fun Vs. Cancer presentations that took place during the game.
Some of the players’ wives and girlfriends also got into supporting the event. They volunteered to work tables where fans could write the name of a loved one on a #VSCANCER card to be held up during the middle of the 3rd inning, as well as a silent auction table with a variety of items that will raise additional funds for Vs. Cancer.
“They have been a great addition to work with and are very passionate about making this night the best that it can be!” said Almond.
Find out more about the Bulls Vs. Cancer here:
Thanks to DBBC’s Emily Almond for these capcom photos.
Bulls Pitcher Arturo Reyes visits with pediatric cancer patients and their siblings on the field before the game on Bulls Vs. Cancer Night, Sunday, September 1, 2019.
Bulls Bench Coach Dan DeMent leads Brodie Curtis, one of the Vs. Cancer kids in attendance, to the field for the Home Run for Life at the Bulls Vs. Cancer Night at the DBAP on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
During the Bulls vs Cancer Night on Sunday, September 1, 2019, Brodie Curtis, one of the Vs. Cancer kids, starred as in the Home Run for Life. At the end of the 4th inning, he came up to bat and hit a home run, high fiving the Bulls on his way down the first base line and the Gwinnett Stripers on his way down the third base line.
DBBC’s Emily Almond (center) poses with Emily James (wife of Bulls player Mac James) and Kumai Pomroy (girlfriend of Bulls player Kean Wong). James and Pomroy put together and donated four items for the silent auction that raised a total of $895 for the Bulls Vs. Cancer Night at the DBAP on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
Pediatric cancer patients and their families join DBBC Vice President Mike Birling (left) on the field before the game on the Bulls Vs. Cancer Night at the DBAP on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
DBBC’s Emily Almond coordinated the Bulls Vs. Cancer Night intiative which culminated with the game on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
Pediatric cancer patients and their families enjoy the view from the stands during the Bulls Vs. Cancer Night at the DBAP on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
