Fourth Annual Roger Maris All-Star Week Returns June 17
The fourth annual Roger Maris All-Star Week returns June 17-21 at various locations throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area.
100% of funds raised during Roger Maris All-Star Week will stay local and help support Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center’s vision to expand into a national destination for cancer research, treatment, education and training. In October 2021, Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center launched the region’s first and only Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program. Sanford Fargo provides autologous transplants, meaning the patients donated their own cells for processing and transplant, allogeneic bone marrow transplants, where cells are taken from a healthy donor’s bone marrow for a transplant and CAR T therapy, where genetically modified T cells are infused. To date, the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center has completed 71 bone marrow transplants since the program began.
“Cancer is no stranger. Unfortunately, almost everyone has had a friend, family member or loved one battle this awful disease,” said Dr. Anu Gaba, Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center medical oncologist. “The Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Program is a game-changer for our region, helping us provide world-class health care close to home. We are grateful for the awareness that Roger Maris All-Star Week brings and the philanthropy it provides.”
Roger Maris All-Star Week was created to support the work happening at the cancer center, honor loved ones, friends and neighbors affected by cancer, promote Roger’s passion for fitness and youth sports and celebrate the enduring legacy of hometown hero, Roger Maris.
The list of events during Roger Maris All-Star week includes:
Youth baseball tournament and home run derby – June 14-16
Youth sports clinics– June 17-21
RedHawks game - June 18
Roger Maris Gala – June 19
Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament – June 20
The Roger Maris Invitational youth baseball tournament takes place June 14-16 from various sports complexes throughout the region. The invitational features the ’61 for 61’ Home Run Derby on Saturday, June 15, which is open to children ages 9-12, even if they are not playing in the tournament. All spectators and participants who attend the home run derby will be given a ticket for a chance to win a baseball autographed by New York Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge. The drawing will be at the conclusion of the home run derby and the winner must be present to win.
Youth clinics this year include basketball, football, baseball, softball, golf, hockey, volleyball and pickleball. Each clinic is free to attend and will be conducted by local high school and collegiate coaches. Parents can sign their children up for the free clinics at RogerMarisWeek.com.
The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks will play host to the Lake County Dockhounds on Tuesday, June 18. Sanford Health is a proud sponsor of The Chamber’s Military Appreciation Night.
New to Roger Maris All-Star Week is The Roger Maris Gala. The Gala takes place on Wednesday, June 19, from 6-10 p.m. at The Pines – White, 4487 165th Ave. SE., Davenport, N.D. The Gala is a night to celebrate the tradition of philanthropy at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center. Event goers will hear local stories of hope and healing, as well as hear an update on exclusive plans for the next era of cancer care for patients in the Upper Midwest and their families who need care close to home. Tickets and tables are available to be purchased at sanfordhealthfoundation.org/rogermaris. 100% of funds raised during the Roger Maris Gala will support the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center’s vision to become a national destination for cancer research, treatment, education and training.
The Roger Maris Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops returns for a 40th season. The tournament began as a way to raise money for local charities. Now four decades later, the tournament has now transformed into a weeklong event supporting the needs of the community. The golf tournament includes two rounds on Thursday, June 20: a nine-hole tournament in the morning and an 18-hole tournament in the afternoon at Rose Creek Golf Course.
Celebrity athletes will once again make an appearance at numerous events throughout the week. This year’s lists of headlining athletes includes:
Cris Carter, 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Steve Garvey, 10-time Major League Baseball All-Star and 1974 MLB Most Valuable Player
Chad Greenway, former Minnesota Vikings linebacker and two-time National Football League Pro Bowl selection
“It means the world to our family to come back to Fargo every year and see the impact the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center has made on the community. Being a Roger Maris All-Star means you embody four things: preparation, hard work, competitiveness and teamwork,” said Roger Maris Jr. “My dad always felt if you strive to do these four things you will put yourself in a position to hit a home run when an opportunity presents itself.”
In 1961, Roger Maris hit a Major League Baseball single-season record 61 home runs. Although Maris lost his battle to non-Hodgkin Lymphoma at the age of 51, his legacy lives on through Roger Maris All-Star Week and the lifesaving care provided at the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center. Since opening its doors in 1990, the comprehensive cancer center has and continues to bring hope to those in and around the region.
For more information on Roger Maris All-Star Week or to sign up for the youth clinics or golf tournaments, visit RogerMarisWeek.com.