Children's Hospital honors sports stars

November 17, 2004 |The Daily Free Press | By Satta Sarmah

 

World Champion Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and New England Patriots offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi may be known as champions on the field, but they were honored Tuesday as champions off the field by the Children's Hospital Boston for giving their time and money to help sick children and their families.

Varitek and Andruzzi were both awarded the Champions for Children's award in a ceremony held at the hospital. The event was a fundraiser for patient care and medical research at the hospital.

Varitek established Tek's 33's, a program that allows patients at the hospital and their families to attend five Red Sox home games and meet with Varitek and his teammates.

Varitek and his wife Karen also visited children at the hospital throughout the year. The Variteks became close to a 14-year-old patient and her family after one of their many visits.

Varitek said the young girl inspired him to donate his time and efforts to help other young children.

"Right now the focus is on the children," Varitek said. "We're willing to do whatever we need to do to get involved."

Bob Davis, co-chair for the event, said Varitek was honored not because of his celebrity, but for his community-service efforts.

"This award is going to a champion not because he is a tremendous catcher for a tremendous team," Davis said. "But because he is a great human being."

Like Varitek, Andruzzi said he was inspired to get more involved after meeting a patient at Children's Hospital.

Two years ago, Andruzzi met C.J. Buckley, a teenager who was being treated for brain cancer. Andruzzi established the C.J. Buckley Endowment to benefit brain cancer research a year after the teenager died.

"[C.J] was very inspirational," Andruzzi said. "He touched my life and my wife's life."

Andruzzi said he is grateful he can make a small difference in the lives of the patients and their families.

"Just that little bit counts," he said. "It's good to put a smile on a parent's face as much as you can to make the situation better."

All five of the major professional sports teams in Eastern Massachusetts - the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, Patriots and New England Revolution - contributed to the event, Davis said.

Many teams donated items that were sold at an auction held throughout the night.

An autographed baseball hat from Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, an autographed football from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and an autographed baseball bat from Red Sox slugger David Ortiz were some of the lucrative objects auctioned by the hospital.

The nearly 800 people who attended the event placed bids on these items and other sports paraphernalia.

One of the highest bids of the night went to someone who paid $45,000 to have the Red Sox World Championship trophy placed on their table during dinner.

Andruzzi also allowed the bidder to wear his Super Bowl ring.

Davis said Children's Hospital Boston expected to raise over $2 million from the auction.

The first Champions for Children's event was held in 1997. The last event was held in 2002. The ceremony will be held annually after this year's event, said Dr. James Mandell, president and CEO of Children's Hospital Boston.

"This is Children's Hospital's signature event," he said.