Strike Out Cancer at River Cats

Editor's note: The following story was published in the Fall 2013 issue of Wellspring. As of 2015, the Strike Out Cancer collaboration between Genentech and the Sacramento River Cats has resulted in a donation of more than $240,000 to the NorthBay Cancer Center.

Triple-digit temperatures couldn't keep hundreds of NorthBay Healthcare employees, friends, family members and cancer patients from coming to a River Cats game on Saturday, June 29. The heat-tested crowd came to kick off the start of Genentech's "Strike Out Cancer" baseball season fundraiser, which benefits NorthBay Cancer Center.

The NorthBay contingent filled a section of the Raley Field ball park in West Sacramento, waving white sound-makers in a show of support for Genentech. For the third year, Genentech has promised to donate $100 for every strike out a River Cats pitcher throws at a home game, up to $50,000, through the season's end in September.

"I was extremely excited to see so many employees participate this year," said Brett Johnson, president of the NorthBay Healthcare Foundation. "Even though it was very hot, both NorthBay and Genentech had an outstanding showing at the game. The River Cats personnel were also impressed with the turn-out."

Not only did NorthBay nearly fill up a large section with its supporters, but several special guests were feted at the event. Three patients - Pat Mcknight, Margarita Lopez and Lori Guerrieri -- who received Genentech cancer-fighting drugs, and who had been treated by NorthBay, were featured during a special pre-game video. The patients were also invited to come down to the field before the game and Pat tossed out the first pitch. They then enjoyed the ballgame from private box seats, as guests of Genentech and the River Cats.