WELLINGTON, FL – On Monday, February 27th polo fans are invited to join a special event featuring an thrilling match and opportunity to support a worthy mission. Even better, the funds raised during the 8th Annual Polo for a Purpose, “A Passage to India” event, will be used to directly support South Florida families fighting pediatric cancer.
Founded by Brandon Phillips, a pediatric cancer survivor and professional equestrian athlete, Polo for Life has raised $2.2 million to date. As plans are underway for this year’s event, it has been announced that monies raised will support Pediatric Oncology Support Team (P.O.S.T.), Kids Cancer Foundation, and Baptist Health Foundation and subsequently families who are currently in the fight.
“According to St. Jude Research Hospital, approximately 400,000 children globally develop cancer every year,” shared Phillips when asked why he created this event.” Polo for Life estimates that more than 10,000 children in the U.S. under the age of 15 will be diagnosed this year alone and something must be done so we can continue to see survivors going on to live long, healthy lives. I know firsthand the fear of a cancer diagnosis and the incredible life that can follow. I’ve made it my mission to help as many children and families as I can.”
Featuring live entertainment, a fabulous cocktail reception, performance by the Wellington High School marching band, and an electrifying polo match, this event does so much more than provide an afternoon of fun. Polo for Life encourages the community to bid in the auction and take part in the event that makes a huge positive impact locally.
Gates for the event open at 3:00 p.m. with the polo match beginning at 4:00 p.m. Sponsorships are still available. Individual tickets and tables of eight can also be purchased online by visiting www.poloforlife.org/passagetoindia or calling 917-838-2074.
Polo for Life was founded by Brandon Phillips, a professional polo player who has won many of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments. However, winning tournaments is not the biggest victory he has achieved–surviving stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is. Phillips was just 14 years old when diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and given a prognosis of six weeks to live. He endured five grueling months of intensive chemotherapy sessions yet never lost his spirit nor accepted death as an option. He beat the odds, went into remission, and vowed to dedicate his life to polo and his desire to help families facing the dreadful challenge of surviving childhood cancers. Polo for Life, Inc. raises money to help pediatric cancer patients and their families from diagnosis and treatment to survivorship and long-term follow-up. By partnering with South Florida organizations, Polo for Life provides financial assistance so families can remain in their homes, be confident they will have food to survive, and overcome financial hardships that come with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. It has donated more than $2 million since its founding.