The D-backs recently surpassed $65 million in franchise history in giving to the community, but they know they can’t do it alone.
Take Sunday’s seventh annual D-backs Race Against Cancer, in which a record 4,300 people participated, raising $230,000, an all-time high for the event.
“This is another example of how we do it with our community,” D-backs team president-CEO Derrick Hall said. “We don’t do it by ourselves, we do it with our fans.”
The money raised from the event goes to support Arizona nonprofits that provide screening, treatment and support for those dealing with cancer, including the Pro-State Foundation, which was founded by Hall and his wife, Amy.
“Every single one of us has been touched by cancer and all we want to do is take action and do something to help those people,” said Debbie Castaldo, the D-backs' vice president of corporate and community impact. “And this is a great way for people to get involved and show support.”
Cancer is a very personal cause for those associated with the D-backs.
Managing general partner Ken Kendrick is a cancer survivor, as are Derrick and Amy Hall.
“It’s very important to us,” Hall said. “Cancer has impacted and affected everybody, especially within our own walls. We’re doing all we can to help those organizations that are trying to beat cancer and helping those survivors.”
The participants came from all age groups. There were families there, some pushing strollers, with even canine companions taking part.
They all had their own motivations for being there.
“Because my grandpa died from lung cancer,” said Carter, one of the younger runners.
Phillip Young, meanwhile, was running for Carter’s generation.
“I love the D-backs' charities,” he said when asked why he was participating. “I’ve lost some family members to cancer and it’s time to beat it. They help kids. And kids are my heart and if we can help kids from going through this, I’m in.”