The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation gives $1 million to support breast program at Banner MD Anderson

Breast Health Center named for Fitzgerald’s late mother

11/1/2025

Left to right: Members of Larry Fitzgerald’s family, including his father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr., aunt Paula Edwards, nephew Jaylen Fitzgerald, sons Devin, Apollo and Milos Fitzgerald, aunt Valerie Thomas, and brother Marcus Fitzgerald.

The Banner Health Foundation is pleased to announce a generous $1 million dollar gift from The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation to sustain and expand breast health services for patients at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center on the campus of Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. The single-largest gift in The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s history, these funds will provide patient financial assistance, remove barriers to care for breast cancer patients, add patient navigation personnel to the team, and support informational materials and community education events to raise awareness of the importance of routine breast cancer screenings and early detection.

In recognition of this generous donation and our longstanding partnership with The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, the Laura Dreier Breast Center at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix has been renamed the Carol Fitzgerald Breast Health Center in honor of Larry’s late mother, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2003 at just 47 years old.

“This gift is deeply personal to me,” said Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., Founder of The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation. “My mother dedicated her life to lifting others, and naming this center after her ensures that work continues. Everyone deserves access to quality care, early detection, and compassionate support. Our goal is to honor her legacy by helping women and families in this community get the resources and hope they need when facing breast cancer.”

Fitzgerald’s relationship with the Banner Health Foundation began some 15 years ago when he served as Honorary Chair for the Hope Starts Here campaign, leading a group of community volunteers to raise $20 million to build and open Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center’s main campus in Gilbert. Since then, Banner MD Anderson has expanded its reach with extension sites in downtown Phoenix, the northwest Valley, Colorado, and Scottsdale (coming soon), with 200-plus expert providers across cancer types serving some 2 million patients and a portfolio of over 200 clinical trials currently underway.

“Words do not describe how impactful this charitable gift will be for so many current and future breast cancer patients,” said Andy Petersen, president and CEO of the Banner Health Foundation. “We cannot thank Larry enough for his longtime friendship and partnership and this extremely kind and generous gift that will make a significant impact now and for years to come.”

Beginning in late 2024, Banner MD Anderson joined The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s Breast Believe Campaign to educate communities about early detection, prevention, symptoms, and access surrounding a breast cancer diagnosis. Through this partnership, Banner MD Anderson brings its mobile mammography unit, The BIG Pink Bus, to a variety of events to bring life-saving screenings and breast health education into our communities. This recent gift will further extend Banner MD Anderson’s breast cancer care, treatment, support, and education throughout the Valley.

Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons as a wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals, having been selected as the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft. Off the field, Larry has been a generous member of the Arizona community, with breast cancer among Larry’s most cherished causes. He served as an NFL spokesman for the league-wide breast cancer awareness initiative, “A Crucial Catch,” for three years and every October, made donations to breast cancer organizations based on his touchdowns and receptions during the month.

An 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, and recipient of numerous awards including the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award, Pro Football Weekly Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award, and the NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award, Fitzgerald Jr. is celebrated for his excellence on the field and his enduring leadership, integrity, and commitment to service. Next month, Fitzgerald will be honored by the Heisman Trophy Trust as the 2025 Heisman Humanitarian Award recipient in recognition of his charitable leadership and commitment to helping children and families.

“We are so proud to be in partnership with an organization like Banner that is committed to closing the disparity gap in underserved communities to ensure that everyone has access to quality care. We are looking forward to the many ways in which the newly named Carol Fitzgerald Breast Health Center will continue to serve those in need,” said Danielle Frost, Executive Director of The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation.