Fox Chase Celebrates Cancer Survivors at the Phillies

Hundreds of survivors, families, friends, staff, and members of the Fox Chase Cancer Center community celebrated cancer survivorship on Saturday, July 13 as the Philadelphia Phillies played the Washington Nationals.

Fox Chase changed things up this year by combining Fox Chase Night at the Phillies, hosted by the Friends of Fox Chase and Fox Chase Chapters of the Board of Associates, with our annual Cancer Survivors’ Day. The result was an exciting night of fun, food, and baseball, as we honored our survivors who are cancer-free and patients still in the fight.

The celebration kicked off with a tailgate in the parking lot of Citizens Bank Park. It was amazing to see our survivors and their families get to know each other, and talk about their shared experiences.

Fox Chase cancer survivors enjoying the tailgate. Photo credit: Ed Cunicelli
Fox Chase cancer survivors enjoying the tailgate. Photo credit: Ed Cunicelli

Then, as our group settled into the stands, everyone’s eyes were on the Jumbo-tron, just before the National Anthem, as a video played of our bladder cancer survivor Tom Maguire talking about his cancer journey. Watch his story here. 

Dick Millham getting ready to throw out the first pitch. Photo credit: Ed Cunicelli
Dick Millham getting ready to throw out the first pitch. Photo credit: Ed Cunicelli

The night was filled with more special moments for our Fox Chase family, after Dick Millham threw out the first pitch, and our survivors cheered on the Phillies with Fox Chase hats and rally towels. Dick is a merkle cell carcinoma survivor and a member of the Bucks County chapter of the Fox Chase Board of Associates. 

Our survivors didn’t run on to the field this year, the way they have in years past, but instead took the extra time to enjoy the many pregame activities. As the game was underway, we like to think we had the loudest cheering section, even though our beloved home team lost to the Nationals 4 to 3. 

But, to pick up everyone's spirits as an added bonus, we were all treated to a post-game fireworks show. 

And, as an added bonus, the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle tickets purchased during the game at kiosks located throughout the ballpark benefited Fox Chase. We raised $8,755, which is amazing!

We couldn’t have asked for a better night. Thank you to the Phillies and all who came out for the celebration.

Take a look at more images from the Survivors' Night event.

 

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

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