Earlier this month, the Miami Marlins joined AutoNation for a special morning at Joe DiMaggio Children¡¯s Hospital as part of AutoNation¡¯s DRV PNK efforts in battling cancer.

Marlins Chief Commercial Officer David Oxfeld was accompanied by Marlins pitchers Anthony Bender and Jes¨²s Luzardo as the group donated a check for $32,925 to the AutoNation Foundation from funds raised during this year¡¯s Strike Out Cancer initiative. The check consisted of $25 donations for each strikeout recorded by a Marlins pitcher during the 2024 season, with the team having amassed 1,317 punchouts.

¡°I was thrilled to partner with the Marlins through DRV PNK and the event at Joe DiMaggio,¡± said Tom Szlosek, AutoNation Chief Financial Officer. ¡°Moreover, I was truly humbled by the courage of the kids and their families and impressed by what Memorial has built at Joe DiMaggio for families enduring circumstances that most of us cannot even imagine. I am proud that AutoNation is part of such tremendous work.¡±

Along with presenting the check, Bender and Luzardo uplifted the spirits of patients at Joe DiMaggio Children¡¯s Hospital by delivering Totes for Hope comfort bags and spending some quality with them.

¡°Whether it¡¯s giving a couple words of encouragement or high-fives, all that we can ask for is to put a smile on these kids¡¯ faces,¡± said Luzardo. ¡°I feel like it just changes their day, and we¡¯re willing to do anything to try to help.¡±

According to a mother of one of the patients, Bender and Luzardo¡¯s visit did exactly that.

¡°I think it was really cool, and [my son] seemed like he really liked it a lot,¡± she said. ¡°As a parent, seeing him smile means a lot. It really makes those daunting moments a lot easier to take.¡±

Bender and Luzardo also sought to inspire these courageous children to continue fighting.

¡°The message that we hoped to convey is to keep pushing forward and try to keep a positive mindset,¡± said Luzardo. ¡°Obviously, cancer is extremely hard for them and their families, but I think the biggest part is to keep moving forward. That¡¯s the only thing that any of us can do and control.¡±

As the message was meaningful, their presence alone would have been enough to leave a lasting impact.

¡°There¡¯s nothing like seeing the face of a child that¡¯s in the hospital light up when one of their sports heroes comes to see them in person, plays with them, and makes them feel like a normal kid,¡± said Kelley Morris, Joe DiMaggio Children¡¯s Hospital Foundation President and CEO.

Between the check donated, laughs shared, and memories made, it truly was a special day for everyone involved.

¡°It¡¯s really nice to see children getting out of their rooms and just smiling,¡± said Bender. ¡°Coming to these events just makes you want to go out and do more for the community.¡±