2025 Perfect Game 14U Select Baseball Festival HELP SWFL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER AT GOLISANO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL!
2025 Perfect Game 14U Select Baseball Festival HELP SWFL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER AT GOLISANO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL!
Why Participate?
For 30 years, Barbara’s Friends has been a lifeline for families facing pediatric cancer and blood disorders in Southwest Florida. Since its founding, the program has raised more than $25 million and supported over 12,000 children. That includes children like Alba Cuka, a Fort Myers teen who was diagnosed with leukemia at just 12 years old after waking up one morning with intense leg pain. Thanks to the expert, compassionate care at Golisano Children’s Hospital, Alba completed treatment in September 2024. Now 15 and cancer-free, Alba is embracing life with the strength of a survivor.
Golisano Children’s Hospital is home to the only comprehensive pediatric hematology and oncology program between Tampa and Miami. Its recovery rates surpass the national average. However, more than 75% of patients are underinsured, on Medicaid, or have no form of payment at all.
That’s where Barbara’s Friends steps in. Your support helps cover costs that insurance does not, including gas cards for chemo visits, Uber rides for teen patients, meal vouchers during hospital stays, and emergency financial assistance for families in crisis. For parents who must leave jobs or reduce hours to care for their child, that help can mean everything. Staying close to home during treatment keeps families together and connected with their support networks. Barbara’s Friends also funds mental health counseling, making sure every family has access to a psychologist regardless of their financial situation.
When you give, you are doing more than donating. You are giving a child a chance to survive and a family the strength to carry on. Every dollar stays right here in Southwest Florida, helping kids like Alba fight cancer with hope.
Be a friend to a child battling cancer today. Make your gift. Change a life.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
Ryker, affectionately known as “Rykersaurus” for his love of all things dinosaurs, is a vibrant 6-year-old with a bright smile and an even brighter future. At just 3 years old, what seemed like harmless bruises from play turned out to be Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), launching him and his family into a courageous battle against cancer.
Today, Ryker is cancer free and getting ready to start first grade. This milestone was made possible thanks to the expert care he received at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and the support of Barbara’s Friends, the hospital’s cancer fund. From long hospital stays to tough treatments, Ryker’s journey was anything but easy, but he met every challenge with determination and a roar worthy of his nickname.
With the support of Barbara’s Friends, Ryker and his family never had to face the fight alone. Their story is one of strength, hope, and the life-changing impact your generosity can make.
Thank you for your support!
***Donation pages for players will end on August 30, 2025 at 6:00pm***
The top 14U baseball players in the country are joining forces in a unique fundraising competition with proceeds to benefit children bravely battling cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital!
Who wins is up to you!
Established as the premier game at the 14U age level, the 2025 Perfect Game 14U Select Baseball Festival returns to JetBlue Ballpark, the Spring Training home of the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers, FL. The four-day event will take place Thursday, August 28 through Sunday, August 31, with the game itself being played on August 31 at 11am. The game will be streamed on PerfectGame.tv as well as the Perfect Game YouTube channel. The game consists of the 50 best 14U players in North America, split between two 25-man rosters in an East/West matchup. Players that attend Perfect Game showcase and tournament events during the 2025 event season are eligible to qualify for the PG 14U Select Baseball Festival. Proceeds of the event will once again go to Golisano Children's Hospital and the event includes a visit to the hospital where the players have the opportunity to interact with the young patients.
The Barbara’s Friends Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center at Golisano Children’s Hospital has treated more than 12,000 children with cancer and blood disorders. These young patients and their families face many challenges physically, emotionally and financially. More than half of the children treated for cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital are uninsured, on Medicaid or have no form of payment. Through Barbara’s Friends and the more than $25 million given by supporters, families are able to focus on helping their kids and no child is denied treatment because of their family’s inability to pay for services.