PHOENIX — The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, named for the former Arizona Cardinals legend, recently donated $1 million to Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center to support breast cancer research and services, according to a Friday press release.
The donation amount marked the highest in the foundation’s history.
The Laura Dreier Breast Center at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix is also going to be renamed the Carol Fitzgerald Breast Health Center in light of the donation, the release said. It will honor Larry’s late mother, who died at 47 from breast cancer in 2003.
Besides the center’s renaming, the donation will “further extend Banner MD Anderson’s breast cancer care, treatment, support and education throughout the Valley.”
“Everyone deserves access to quality screening, early detection and the support of a trusted medical team,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “By naming this center after my mother, Carol, we honor her legacy as an advocate and ensure that resources are available to those in our community who need them most.”
The Cardinals receiver first began a relationship with Banner Health more than 15 years ago, and the health group in late 2024 partnered with his Breast Believe Campaign, which was launched in November 2022.
Through the partnership, Banner Health takes its mammography unit, called “The BIG Pink Bus,” around the Valley to educate people on early breast cancer detection, prevention measures and symptoms to look out for.
“With breast cancer cases rising, especially in younger women, breaking down barriers to care couldn’t be more critical,” Banner University Medical Center Phoenix senior physician executive David Paul said. “This generous investment allows our team to do just that. Thank you, Larry, for this gift. It will be lifechanging for so many.”
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