-By John Lynds
Three years ago East Boston High School baseball coach Phil Brangiforte wife was diagnosed with colon cancer after give birth to the couple’s fifth child. She never came home after delivering baby Alexandria.
“She was moved to Boston Medical Center three days after child birth and had emergency surgery to remove a cancerous tumor the size of a softball,” said Brangiforte. “Dr. James Petros and the staff at the Boston Medical Center saved her life.”
After that experience Brangiforte and his wife, Carrie, decided to start a baseball tournament to give back to BMC for saving her life.
“This tournament will be much more than a baseball game–it is about giving back and raising money to support the BMC Colon Cancer Foundation to help find a cure. All of the proceeds are donated directly to BMC colon cancer research over the last two years we have raised over $7,500 for colon cancer research at BMC,” said Brangiforte. “I sat down three years ago with Derrick Brodin from First Priority Credit Union and he agreed to help us out. First Priority Credit Union under the help of Derrick stepped up to sponsor this great event and every year they have sponsor the entire event.”
This year’s tournament will take place on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 at the East Boston Stadium.
“The opening ceremonies will start at 12 noon with the first pitch thrown out by my wife Carrie, Dr. James Petros from BMC, Jermaine Wiggins as well as some local politicians followed by game one against Newton South and East Boston High School.”
The second game will be at 3 p.m. between Revere and Malden. On Sunday the consolation game will be played at 12 noon followed by the championship game at 3 p.m.
“We will have an award ceremony at the conclusion of the championship game,” said Brangiforte. “We will have raffles, food, silent auction and much more going that day. It is a great family day. And all proceeds directly go to BMC Colon Cancer research. It really is a great two day with lots of fun.”
This year in the United States there will be 147,500 new colorectal cancer cases and 57,000 deaths.
Colon cancer has challenged 2 million survivors in the U.S. Increased awareness means more survivors.