Cancer center to be renamed THE PLAYERS Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
THE PLAYERS Championship announced in a press conference on Oct. 21 its pledge to match donations, dollar for dollar, up to $2 million, to the Nemours Children’s Hand in Hand capital campaign. The campaign is funding the complete redesign and expansion of the Nemours Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in downtown Jacksonville. In recognition of THE PLAYERS lead gift, the new facility will be named THE PLAYERS Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
“THE PLAYERS’ generous commitment to wholly reimagine the spaces where children receive life-saving treatments is truly remarkable,” said Dr. Larry Moss, president and CEO of Nemours Children’s Health. “We are profoundly grateful for their ongoing partnership, enduring generosity and commitment to our community’s children.”
Rhett Fisher tries on one of the iconic red coats of THE PLAYERS. (Photo by Jennifer Perez/PGA TOUR)
With the number of oncology patients seen at the center doubling in the last 10 years, the center had to evolve to meet the growing needs of the community. The $11.3 million renovation and expansion project is designed to enhance the patient and family experience, something that Jacksonville transplant John Fisher spoke to during the press conference.
Fischer and his family relocated to Jacksonville to allow his son, Rhett, to be closer to family and the Nemours facility.
“When Rhett was treated in Washington, D.C. we just felt like a number,” said Fischer. “I knew Nemours was a place that not only would treat my son, but where we would be treated like family.”
“We all know families who have had to endure the uncertainty and emotional difficulties associated with childhood cancer, and our hope is that this pledge will help to continue the incredible work being done at Nemours Children’s Health for kids from all over,” said THE PLAYERS Championship Executive Director, Jared Rice. “Listening to this community and responding in areas where these funds are needed most has been a core value of THE PLAYERS since day one, and we are honored to take part in today’s announcement.”
With THE PLAYERS gift and the support of generous donors, the campaign has raised more than $9 million to date. The project plans for renovated spaces to better serve patients, including those who are immunocompromised, and specialized spaces to more efficiently administer care. Construction is now underway, and expected to be complete by summer 2023. Those wishing to make a matched donation to the Hand in Hand campaign can do so here.
(L to R: Rich Jones, Dr. Michael Erhard, Carla Montgomery, Jared Rice, Dr. Larry Moss, the Fischer family, Dr. Eric Sandler, Dr. Scott Bradfield. Photo by Jennifer Perez/PGA TOUR)
