D-backs’ Paul Goldschmidt donates $180K to Phoenix Children’s Hospital

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hit a home run for charity on Wednesday when he donated more than $180,000 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Goldschmidt and his wife, Amy, said the check for $186,121.94 was given to help fund the hospital’s brand-new Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

“As an honorary chair of the Hope Lives Here campaign at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Amy and I have made it our mission to raise as much money and awareness as possible for this amazing cause,” Goldschmidt said.

The baseball player said the donation came from money raised during last year’s Goldy’s Bowling Bash.

“That’s where I just saw this whole community just, really, rally around the hospital,” he said, “You don’t know who’s in here – could be any one of us, it could be your neighbor next door.”

John-Paul of Phoenix was at the hospital during Wednesday’s press conference with his little boy, Grant. His daughter is in the neonatal intensive-care unit. He said Goldschmidt chose a good place to donate to.

“This is the best children’s hospital,” he said. “[My wife and I] wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Kelly Lane, vice-president of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, said the Goldschmidts do more for the hospital than write a big check.

“On any given day, you can see them in the halls of the hospital,” she said. “Paul talking baseball and signing autographs for his biggest and littlest fans and Amy hosting self-esteem pink parties for girls, patient birthday party celebrations or just doing girl stuff, like painting nails.”

Goldschmidt’s next Bowling Bash will be held Feb. 22 at Lucky Strike near First Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Phoenix.

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