Record amount raised for Maris Cancer Center

FARGO – Inspired by the 50th anniversary of Roger Maris’ home-run record, supporters of the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo raised a record $789,375 last week.

A record of $601,375, including a $250,000 gift from Denny Sanford, was raised at Against All Odds, a 50th anniversary celebration of Maris’ 61st home run held at the Scheels Arena in Fargo.

Pat Maris, Roger’s wife, also established the Roger Maris Family Endowed Fund, a permanent endowment that will provide perpetual funding to the Cancer Center forever. This included a New York Yankee Foundation gift of $10,000.

The 19th annual “61 for ’61” event raised $188,000. Activities included a fun walk, a competitive run with 620 participants, a radiothon, a motorcycle ride with 412 participants, a silent auction and Sunmart Cook Outs.

Other highlights included: 61 bone marrow donors were registered for “Be a Match,” 85 Bottles of Hope were created from heparin bottles and 154 Chemo Caps were donated by Boucle Yarn Studio.

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