Posted by Margaret Stargell | 06.29.2021 | News
Willie Stargell Foundation Awards $60,000
[Wilmington, NC – June 25, 2021] – The Willie Stargell Foundation has awarded $60,000 in grants to organizations supporting kidney disease research and patient care.
$50,000 has been awarded to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation for the Willie Stargell “Pops” Dialysis Unit, $5,000 to the University of North Carolina, Wilmington School of Nursing, and $5,000 to the Cape Fear Community College Nursing Program. An additional $60,000 will be used for future funding requests.
“Kidney disease does not stop during a pandemic,” says Margaret Weller-Stargell, President of the Willie Stargell Foundation, “we are incredibly grateful to our supporters for continuing to help the Willie Stargell Foundation fund these programs. People in our region fighting the disease need our help now more than ever.” The Willie Stargell Foundation has been given the opportunity to continue funding these programs from monies raised during it’s 2020 virtual Willie Stargell Foundation Gala.
The Foundation is hosting it’s 19th Annual Willie Stargell Celebrity Invitational in-person on November 5-7, 2021 in Wilmington, North Carolina. We look forward to welcoming everyone back.
About the Willie Stargell Foundation
The Willie Stargell Foundation supports programs focusing on kidney disease research, patient care, and easing the financial burden of medical costs for patients facing kidney disease, in honor of Baseball Hall of Fame Member Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Stargell passed away in 2001 after a lengthy battle with renal failure. Having spent the last five years of his life receiving dialysis treatments, it was his desire that patients who need dialysis are able to receive it, and that it be done in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Stargell’s widow, Margaret Weller-Stargell, wanted to do everything in her power to make his wishes come true.
About Willie Stargell
Willie Stargell, nicknamed “Pops”, is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Stargell spent 21 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. An intimidating left-handed batter, Stargell helped popularize the following of “tape-measure” home runs during the 1960s and ’70s. He helped the Pirates win the World Championships in 1971 and 9179.
Stargell died in 2001 after a long battle with kidney disease.