PHONE: 813-955-9025 | 8909 Elkmont Ln, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

OCTOBER is breast cancer awareness month as we support this cause here at the farm. Like many of us I'm sure  I have had many family members fight this horrible disease over the years. My Grandfather that I was very close to passed from Prostate cancer eventually after a long fight, my mother fought Breast Cancer but had to have a mastectomy and is a 20-plus-year survivor. All the players will receive a pink Bracelet this week as part of the awareness and in memory of Julie Parker.

 

JULIE PARKER FOUNDATION- Julie Parker passed away after a 7-year battle with Breast Cancer. Julie was an amazing person as when I first met Julie it was for training with her two sons Grant and Jake ( Twins) at my house where it all started in my garage. They were both around 9 years old at the time so I got to know Julie over the years. She was always looking on the bright side of things and for the longest time I didn't even know she had cancer. She would always ask about me or the family while showing a smile on her face. I eventually learned about her cancer and was always amazed at how she approached each day and the conversations we shared over those years. As Grant continued to train for baseball Jake had a greater passion for Basketball so Grant and I continued down the baseball road together. Unfortunately, when Grant was around age 12 Julie lost her fight to cancer. I was fortunate to have spoken with Julie on the phone before passing as she was already in hospice and did not want me to see her so we spoke on the phone. I asked her if I could start a foundation in her name and explained why I wanted to do so. She said absolutely and that it was an honor that I would want to do something like that in her name. Grant is a special kid as all kids are, however, this was a circumstance close to my heart and meant a lot to me to start this Foundation. We hope to focus and grow the foundation in the coming years to support cancer and future players here at the farm. Julie's last words to me on the phone was for me to look after her Grant as she loved watching him play baseball so much! Grant graduated from Wharton High School in 2021 where he played second base and supported his team to a District Championship in 2021. Grant will attend Florida State University and major in computer engineering.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP? We are selling T-shirts with the logo below $20 and they can be purchased online at the website under the tab GENERAL STORE or cash at the field practices. Proceeds will be awarded to the recipients of the Julie Parker Foundation Scholarship, in which they will receive a full 2021-2022 player development award of $2,000. We truly appreciate all of your support, thank you!