ORLANDO, FL. (Nov. 15, 2023) – Four Seasons Resort Orlando recently hosted the inaugural Four Seasons Orlando Invitational in collaboration with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida and raised more than $235,500 to support pediatric cancer research. The two-day charity event, which featured 18 celebrities in attendance including Lou Holtz, Jerome Bettis, Kyle Rudolph and many more, sold out in two weeks.
The welcome reception included celebrity appearances, live music performances by Marc Roberge of O.A.R., and G. Love., and a silent and live auction, all under a canopy of sparkling lights on the Resort’s pristine event lawns. Among the auction items included were VIP studio passes to go behind-the-scenes on Wheel of Fortune in Los Angeles; having The New York Times best-selling author Steve Berry write one’s name of choice as a character in his next novel; along with many other items from in-kind donors.
Nemours Children’s patient Nasir Carranco spoke at a pre-tournament reception, sharing his cancer journey and the importance of supporting kids and families who need pediatric cancer care. In 2022 Carranco was diagnosed with renal medullary carcinoma, and received treatment while he was finishing high school. He is currently enrolled as a freshman at Valencia College and plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida to study health sciences and radiography. Additionally, Dr. Dorothea Douglas spoke to the attendees, sharing her pivotal research projects related to Carranco’s disease.
The second day of the event included foursomes paired with a celebrity player, enjoying a friendly tournament on the Resort’s 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed course at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando. The conclusion of the event included a check presentation on the course from Four Seasons to Nemours Children’s Health for $235,503 to support pediatric cancer research.
“We are deeply grateful to the Four Seasons Orlando for their support, warm hospitality and generosity in hosting such an impactful event," says James P. Digan, President of the Nemours Children's Health Alliance. “Four Seasons Orlando's unprecedented dedication to ensuring the event's success was profoundly moving and demonstrated their unwavering commitment to children's health. We are excited to continue this partnership and create a brighter future for the children and families in their respective communities."
Nemours Children’s and Four Seasons continued their partnership by collaborating on World Kindness Day, Nov. 13 as well as the holiday season. On World Kindness Day, Four Seasons brought spoonfuls of kindness to the staff, visitors and patients passing through the lobby of Nemours Children’s Hospital. Additionally, with the launch of the Resort’s new Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea, patrons will be encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift for donation to the hospital’s Child Life Team.
“We are thrilled to support Nemours Children’s Health with this considerable donation and are grateful for the generosity of the event attendees, which made our inaugural event so successful,” says Thomas Steinhauer, regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Resort Orlando. “Four Seasons has a long history of giving back to organizations that are making a difference in pediatric cancer. Our team’s hard work and dedication to planning this signature event really shined through.”
About Nemours Children’s Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children's also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org
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