St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher Helps Fredbird Get His Exercise with the American Cancer Society

Sep 20, 2012 11:00 AM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals and the American Cancer Society have teamed up on a number of projects recently, bringing two incredible brands together to help fight cancer. The projects stem from Cardinals Team President Bill Dewitt, III’s engagement with the Society’s CEOs Against Cancer program. From a ‘Day at the Ballpark’ with nearly 12,000 Society supporters to two new awareness commercials, the two groups are going big to make an impact on cancer.

In what Cardinals staff believe is the largest charity event at Busch Stadium, the ACS Day at the Ballpark brought in 12,000 supporters from across eastern Missouri on Sunday, August 19th. The event generated $100,000 in new fundsfor the local American Cancer Society in its first year. Tickets were mainly sold by Relay For Life teams, with proceeds credited to their fundraising efforts. Participants were given the special opportunity to enter the stadium early – parading on the field, getting autographs from past players, and taking photos with the World Series Trophy. Top ticket sellers Chuck Maher and Joyce Moberly threw out honorary first pitches. Also on the field were volunteers Chuck Maher, Jr. and Cindy Remmert, as well as American Cancer Society staff Tracy Skinner, Jason McClelland, and Craig Boring.

Listen to a special feature by Dan McLaughlin broadcast on KMOX 1120 AM and all Cardinals Radio Network stations nationwide, including comments from Cardinals Team President Bill DeWitt, III. Play the sound.

The support didn’t end with raising money: two Cardinals starters spent an afternoon recording new public service announcements (PSAs) with the Society to help raise awareness. The first PSA, which was filmed in the St. Louis Cardinals dugout and debuted at ACS Day at the Ballpark, features Pitcher Adam Wainwright thanking Relay For Life volunteers and participants for helping the Society create the largest fundraising event in the world. Wainwright expressed his appreciation and dedicated his support of the American Cancer Society in memory of his grandparents.

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