D-backs mourn loss of Nicole Hazen

PHOENIX -- Nicole Hazen, wife of D-backs GM Mike Hazen, passed away Thursday from complications related to glioblastoma.

The couple have four sons, Charlie, John, Teddy and Sam.

“Nicole lived her life and loved her family with fierceness and devotion," the Hazen family said in a statement. "She spent every day in the service of others as a mother, wife and educator advocating for goodness. From our family, we remain forever grateful for the love, support and random acts of kindness bestowed upon us for the last two years and four months. We would not have been able to walk down this road, with her, without the help and generosity of our community. Glioblastoma slowly took her capacity to speak, walk, talk and lead but never took her capacity to love her children, family and friends. We are lost without her but will carry the torch of her unyielding empathy for everyone forward, from this day onward.”

Nicole Hazen was diagnosed with glioblastoma more than two years ago and had bravely fought against the disease ever since.

Mike Hazen announced last June that he was taking a physical leave of absence from the team. While he still was overseeing baseball operations, as he had since being hired following the 2016 season, he came into the office less frequently so that he could tend to Nicole and their children at home.

At that time, both managing general partner Ken Kendrick and team president/CEO Derrick Hall said the organization would support the Hazens in every way.

On Thursday, Kendrick and Hall said, “Nicole was a beloved member of the D-backs’ family, and we are saddened by her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike, Charlie, John, Teddy, Sam and their entire extended family. Nicole will be remembered for her vibrance, kindness and a beautiful smile that could light up a room. Her fighting spirit was evident in every step of her courageous journey and in her efforts to make an impact on research and treatment, while providing future hope to those who receive a similar diagnosis. She will forever be remembered and honored.”

Last year at the team's annual "Evening on the Diamond" fundraiser, the D-backs announced the launch of the "Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope," which is committed to funding the innovative therapies, cutting-edge research and pioneering discoveries in hopes of solving one of medicine’s most complex, incurable diseases -- glioblastoma.

The "Nicole Hazen Fund For Hope" will offer more patients with aggressive brain tumors access to rapid, state-of-the-art treatment as well as compassionate support throughout the entire journey.

When they introduced the fund at the beginning of the dinner, the D-backs said the goal was to raise $1 million by the end of the evening with the organization's ownership group donating the first $250,000.

By the end of the event, $1.5 million had been raised.