For 39 years, the Roger Maris celebrity golf tournament has been raising funds in the Fargo-Moorhead area. For the past two years though, Roger Maris All-Star Week has expanded the mission, adding youth sports clinics, family events, and more to boost the Maris family legacy, and raise money for the Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center.
“I think Dad would be excited to see where it’s at and how it’s grown and where the community has really wanted it to grow to. So we’re proud of it,” said Kevin Maris.
Find a doctor: Cancer care at Sanford Health
New at Roger Maris Cancer Center
Last December, the Sanford Blood Disorders and Bone Marrow Transplant Program completed its first allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
“Being able to perform allogeneic bone marrow transplants is a crucial step to our goal of becoming a regional destination for cancer care,” said Dr. Seth Maliske, Sanford Blood Disorders and Bone Marrow Transplant Program director. “We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Offering this treatment close to home is something we pride ourselves on and something our patients deserve.”
The third and final phase is CAR-T cell therapy, which is a type of immune therapy in which patient’s own T cells are collected and genetically modified to recognize their cancer. Once engineered, these cells are infused back into the patient with the goal for the CAR-T cells to grow and attack the cancer cells. This treatment option is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2023.
The ongoing goal of Sanford Blood Disorders and Bone Marrow Transplant Program is to bring high-quality care close to home. This team is excited to now be able to offer allogeneic transplants to our patients.
Legacy beyond baseball
Around the country, Roger Maris will forever be known for his home run record, but here in Fargo, his legacy continues to grow beyond the game.
“The fact that they’ve been able to perpetuate his memory now for 39 years here with this event, and all the good things that have come out of it, it’s very significant,” added Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor.
“I think my dad would be really proud to see where it is today. We’ve had a lot of kids through the years, and for them to have the same interest and passion to help the community, raise funds for charities and the Roger Maris Cancer Center, it’s a thrill for us,” said Kevin Maris.
Roger Maris All-Star Week 2023 is June 19-25.
Learn more
- Childhood leukemia survivor now a nurse at Sanford Fargo
- Transplant program going strong one year, many patients later
- First bone marrow transplant patient healing close to home
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Posted In Cancer, Community, Fargo, Sports Medicine, Transplant
