‘Strikeout Cancer’ Minor League Baseball Promo of Week

By  //  July 23, 2014

chosen over 240 Minor League Baseball teams

The Brevard County Manatees on Saturday will be wearing "Cancer Survivor" theme jerseys. The front features a lavender ribbon -- the color used to denote all types of cancer -- while ribbons representing more than 15 types of cancer are included on the back. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
The Brevard County Manatees  will be wearing “Cancer Survivor” theme jerseys during Saturday’s game against the Beach Cardinals. The front features a lavender ribbon — the color used to denote all types of cancer — while ribbons representing more than 15 types of cancer are included on the back. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – John Manzoian, ticket sales manager for the Brevard County Manatees, has announced that Saturday’s “Strikeout Cancer” has been selected as the Minor League Baseball Promotion of the Week when the Manatees take on the Palm Beach Cardinals at Space Coast Stadium.

CCCB-MANATEES-JERSEY-399-2
John Manzoian, ticket sales manager for the Brevard County Manatees has announced that Saturday’s ‘Strikeout Cancer’ has been selected as the Minor League Baseball Promotion of the Week. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

In its continued efforts to provide financial support and educational resources to local patients, Cancer Care Centers of Brevard (CCCB) and Cancer Care Centers Foundation (CCCF) are teaming up with the Brevard County Manatees to host Cancer Care Centers Night at Space Coast Stadium on Saturday, July 26.

“I’m ecstatic to say that Saturday night’s event was announced as the Minor League Baseball Promotion of the Week for this week, said Manzoian.

“To give you an idea of how challenging this is, there are about 240 Minor League Baseball teams out there. There are about 20 weeks in the Minor League Baseball season, so only 20 promotions during the entire season among all those teams win a promotion of the week.”

The Brevard County Manatees on Saturday will be wearing “Cancer Survivor” theme jerseys. The front features a lavender ribbon — the color used to denote all types of cancer — while ribbons representing more than 15 types of cancer are included on the back.

CANCERCARECENTERS-180“The promotion started simply, with Cancer Care Centers of Brevard  sponsoring a fireworks show to raise public awareness about the importance of early cancer detection,” said Manzoian.

“From there the wheels quickly started turning and it evolved into being about much more than just a game of baseball – it was an evening dedicated to the theme of ‘strike out cancer.’ When I started discussing the night with CCCB, I could tell the strong personal connection they had with each of their patients and I knew right away we could turn this night into something special.”

Two four-time cancer survivors, Ed Lambie and Lorraine Kuriger, will launch the evening by throwing ceremonial first pitches. Then, when the Manatees take the field, they will be joined by five children who are fighting cancer.

CCCB-COVER-180-15RELATED: Cancer Care Centers Features Innovative, Advanced Medical and Radiation Oncology Services Under the Guidance of Compassionate, Experienced Specialists

This sets the stage for later in the evening — at the conclusion of the sixth inning, cancer survivor Gaye Lewis will hit a “home run to remember” while wearing a team-signed cancer survivor jersey. She’ll be congratulated on the base paths by both teams as her inspiring story is read over the PA, and, upon reaching home, fireworks will light up the night sky.

Marta Fiol
Marta Fiol

“CCCB’s mission is to promote the importance of early cancer detection, which gives the patient a better outcome in their fight against this dreaded disease,” added CCCB marketing manager Marta Fiol. “Our tagline reads ‘At CCCB, every month is cancer awareness month.'”

One doesn’t have to be a Brevard County resident to be part of this special night — the cancer survivor jerseys are being auctioned online with proceeds benefiting the Cancer Care Centers Foundation.

“It has been a joy planning this evening at the ballpark,” said Manzoian. “The staff, doctors and volunteers that have all helped to make this event possible have been terrific to work with, and there’s no doubt about why they are able to make such an impact in this community.”

Founded in 1993, CCCF was established to assist the countless number of people within its served communities who have been touched by cancer.

As a non-profit organization that strives to provide comprehensive patient and family support services, community outreach and education, financial assistance and medical and research programs, CCCF is widely recognized for its outstanding efforts in assisting patients and their loved ones to more effectively cope with cancer.

Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar

“Our patients are our family, and just like any family member we will do anything and everything in our power to provide them the assistance necessary to help them every step of the way,” says Dr. Ravi Shankar, CCCB Medical Director.

“We will never turn our backs on a patient who needs our help, and we will never stop advocating for their right to live cancer free. This event celebrates not only their courage, but it is an opportunity for us to increase awareness about cancer.”

Following the game, all 35 game jerseys will be made available for purchase on www.manatees.milbauctions.com

For more information about Strike Out Cancer and to purchase tickets, visit CCCFoundationinc.org/Baseball. For information about Cancer Care Centers of Brevard in Melbourne call 321-952-0898 or log on to CancerCareBrevard.com.