AVONDALE, Ariz. — Eleven-time Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald made a major impact in the Phoenix area during his NFL career, and he has continued to do so after retiring. His latest effort was providing crucial support at Phoenix Raceway.
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Larry Fitzgerald and the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation partnered with the 1-mile NASCAR track to provide free 3D mobile mammogram screenings for individuals aged 35 and older. These individuals did not need a referral, nor did they need to show insurance information.
This was part of an ongoing campaign to provide education about "detection, prevention, symptoms, treatments, resources, and access surrounding a breast cancer diagnosis." Fitzgerald's inspiration for this campaign is his mother, Carol, who passed away in 2003 due to breast cancer.
"Having lost a parent and having other family members and even our Executive Director (has) been affected by this hideous disease," Fitzgerald told FanBuzz at Phoenix Raceway.
"Anytime we can do these types of events to raise awareness for self-advocacy is something that's really important to me, and I know it's important to a lot of people in this community."
Photo credit: Savage Ventures
Fitzgerald established his foundation in 2005, and it has grown exponentially as he has embraced multiple causes. Breast cancer awareness leads the way, but the foundation also focuses on youth education, especially reading proficiency.
This season's championship weekend marked another year of the partnership between the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and Phoenix Raceway.
The mobile screening center in the Phoenix campgrounds was the focal point, but it was not the only one providing this crucial service. Two more were at the AZ Complete Health Resource Center in Avondale.
Having these mobile units available is significant for Fitzgerald, who has known Phoenix Raceway President Latasha Causey for more than a decade. He can use them to take care to the public while partnering with a massive organization in NASCAR. This will only help expand the reach of his foundation.
"There's nothing you can do on your own," Fitzgerald. "You just take, for instance, these drivers. Like they're the best drivers in the world. But if you put them in their car and nobody's taking care of the wheels, nobody's making sure the oil is right, making sure it's gassed up, making sure the windows are clean, they can't do their jobs to the very best of their ability.
"So it takes a community to be able to make an effort go and to be able to have Latasha and NASCAR behind us, it gives us, the ability to be able to have a reach that we just wouldn't be able to have without them."
The NASCAR season ends this weekend outside of Phoenix, but the work continues for Fitzgerald and his foundation. They will continue to focus on breast cancer awareness throughout the year while trying to provide life-saving support. If he has his way, he'll keep coming back to Phoenix Raceway for the next decade.
