Fantasy for Charity

ALS Association

“This disease moves quickly and as the symptoms develop, those affected by it rely on assistive equipment to improve their quality of life. The ALS Association aims to “increase public awareness and aid in providing assistive equipment, technology, and financial aid for medical expenses and home modifications, as well as serve as a guide in finding and acquiring these products and services.” My cousin is currently battling with ALS, so this charity hits close to home.” – A. Adams, OR

“My grandfather died of ALS in 2011 after a long, courageous battle.” – D. Sweeney, GA

Alzheimer’s Association

“I currently have a relative suffering from Alzheimer’s and one of my aunts passed away from it a few years ago. What makes this disease especially cruel is that it robs its victims of who they are long before they pass on. It is an extremely lengthy goodbye where you watch someone slowly forget all their memories, loved ones, favorite activities, and even unique personal traits. Eventually, every time you see that person, you’re forced to accept the reality that mentally they are no longer really there. More than 5 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s and it’s the 6th leading cause of death in this country, killing more people than both breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. However, there is hope, because everyone can help in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Raising awareness, being an advocate for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s, and making donations are all ways we can continue to move forward towards one day finding reliable treatment options and a cure.” – J. Ebanks, NY

“The Alzheimer’s Association has recently become very important to me since my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in April 2024. Their mission to support those affected by this challenging disease and to fund crucial research feels so much more personal now. It’s reassuring to know that there’s an organization dedicated to helping families like mine and actively working toward a cure. It brings a sense of hope during a really difficult time.” – D. Martin, IN

“Growing up, I had an incredibly strong bond with my Grandpa. We shared a lot of interests and were very close. When I was a teenager, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Helping my mother care for him over the next two years was one of the most painful and formative experiences I’ve been through. Alzheimer’s is a devastating and cruel disease, both for the person that suffers from it and for the people that love them, but there is also a lot of promising research helping to diagnose, delay, and treat the illness, and eventually find a cure. I’m proud to play in honor of my Grandpa and to raise awareness for a charity that does great work advancing the treatment and care of Alzheimer’s patients.” – M. Woollands, OH

Arizona Animal Welfare League

“I’ll be playing for the AAWL ( The Arizona Animal Welfare League ) – My wife and I have over 10+ Animals, including two dogs. Arizona is a really rough place for stays, particularly to the head in the Summer. We can’t save them all, but we can help those that do.
The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL & SPCA) is the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona. AAWL & SPCA is a no-kill shelter that only euthanizes animals with untreatable medical conditions. AAWL & SPCA is a 501c3 non-profit organisation. More than 5,000 dogs and cats are rescued, rehabilitated, and re-homed by AAWL & SPCA. They rescue them from another shelter in Maricopa County where they are likely to be euthanized due to a lack of time and resources” – C. Welsh, AZ

American Forest Foundation

“My family grew up traveling the country to visit national parks, so preserving our forests and promoting education is a cause near and dear to my heart. And while it’s often easy to get caught up in the issues of the modern world, almost none of them matter in the face of our planet’s health. There is no greater gift we can give to future generations than to leave Earth a better place than we found it, and I believe in American Forest Foundation’s commitment to combating climate change while uplifting diversity and inclusion in their programs.” – R. Wormeli, CO

American Heart Association

“My senior year of college my roommate lost his wife before their wedding to a sudden heart attack. Fast forward a few more months and I lost my dad to a sudden heart attack. Both of these tragedies have shaped the friend groups and who I am today so I believe this is the organization that I can most identify with.” – H. Boone, MO

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

“Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is important to me because of its work toward supporting autistic people as they are, and advancing public policies that do the same, rather than treating autistic people like they need to be “fixed,” as some other charities do.” – J. Herlin, CO

Back on My Feet

“Back On My Feet is a non profit organization that combats homelessness through the power of running. This organization works with individuals in need through running, training, and goal setting. Back On My Feet also provides practical training and employment resources for achieving independence throughout the program individuals have committed to.” – D. Fuentes, TX

“Back on My Feet has the mission of helping the homeless overcome their current circumstances through the sport of running. As a lifelong runner myself, I’ve experienced firsthand the power, encouragement, and sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing incremental improvements as a result of putting in consistent work over extended periods of time. Back on My Feet uses these benefits as a catalyst to kickstart growth in other areas, such as in education and job skill development. And given that running is accessible to most, I love that their program has the ability to change the lives of many at a grand scale.” – W. Nation, TX

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada

“As a former mentor, I’ve seen first-hand the impact that the BBBS organization can have on kids or teens that are struggling with the lack of parental figure or role model, or those having trouble making friends and fitting in. Giving these kids both the support of a friend and mentor, as well as the opportunity to learn new things and try new activities, can be life-altering and set them up for future success.” – J. Horrocks, PEI

“Growing up I witnessed many children and teenagers under adverse circumstances they could not control. From family issues, to bad living conditions, to mental health challenges. As a former volunteer to the organization, I realized the impact a mentor can have by garnering positive relationships and fostering a vision for success.” – D. Patel, QC

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

“My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer at 31 years old, and through chemotherapy treatment was able to successfully beat it. The BCRF funds Herceptin research which is what was used specifically to treat her cancer, so this charity hits very close to home.” – J. Tatarzycki, CT

“Breast cancer has affected a number of loved ones close to me, including the mother of one of my best friends who passed earlier this year battling the disease. As someone who’s witnessed first-hand how cancer not only affects those diagnosed, but entire families, I’d like to dedicate the 2022 fantasy season to accelerating breast cancer research and providing vital support all year round.” – L. Agro, ON

“I’m supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation because this cause is very close to my heart. My mom, aunt, and mother-in-law have all battled breast cancer at different stages. Some went through surgery, others went through chemotherapy, and all navigated their own challenging paths to recovery. Their strength and hope are inspiring to me, and this is my way to support better prevention, early detection, and treatment for others.” – J. Crosser, KS

Breathing Room Foundation

“I volunteered for the Breathing Room Foundation when I lived in Philadelphia and was able to see firsthand the impact they make on their community. The BRF provides care and support for families affected by cancer, and that means everything from paying utility bills to delivering Thanksgiving dinners and groceries to making sure children have clothes and school supplies, and so much more. A cancer diagnosis impacts the entire family, especially when it affects a family already struggling to make ends meet. The Breathing Room foundation supports those families so they can focus on getting better and making the transition from patient to survivor.” – M. Maher, GA

Canadian Breast Cancer Society

“My grandmother on my Mom’s side passed away in 1967 from breast cancer (when my Mom was just 7) and my aunt is in remission.” – E. Spensieri, QC

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

“My son got a small cut on his leg during a camping trip that got infected and turned into a blood infection that caused him to stay there for 2.5 months. They took care of him in the ICU and rehab and he was released without limitation.” – J. Williams, GA

Children’s Hospital Colorado

“I was born with a heart defect and wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for them, hopefully this will help them save more kid’s lives.” – M. Kitzman, PA

Chileda

“Chileda offers a spectrum of services to meet the individual needs of children and adults with cognitive and behavioral challenges. Services are provided on campus in the residential and day school program, and in the community within individual’s homes, schools, and community. My partner and I have friends with young children who greatly benefit from these programs because of the extraordinarily high need for support. With the recent cuts/threats to Medicaid, places like this need as much community support as they can get.” – K. Kirby, MN

Doctors Without Borders

“My doctor, who has worked with Doctors Without Borders, shared their incredible impact firsthand, emphasizing the urgent need for donations. Hearing about his experiences on the frontlines of humanitarian crises has motivated me to contribute to this vital organization, knowing that my support can directly aid those in desperate need.” – A. Failla, OH

Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen

“DESK is a local soup kitchen that offers a ton of great support programs to the less fortunate here in New Haven. They recently opened a new location downtown that’s luckily seeing a lot of traction, and it feels like they really make a difference in the community here.” – M. Lisi, CT

Empty Bowls Monongalia

“Empty Bowls is a non-profit organization focused on fighting hunger and food insecurity. The concept behind Empty Bowls is simple but powerful: communities come together to create and sell handcrafted bowls, typically made from clay, to raise funds for local food-related charities.
Residing in West Virginia, lack of food access is a real issue that directly affects the community in which I live. Empty Bowls Monongalia benefits local food pantries, soup kitchens, and other hunger-relief programs in Monongalia County by increasing awareness and by providing resources to these organizations throughout the county.” – C. Hood, WV

Epilepsy Foundation

“Our daughter has epilepsy, and we’ve been able to work with the Epilepsy Foundation on a few levels. They provide a lot of great resources for families that are impacted by epilepsy.” – B. Blontz, PA

Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research

“The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research is important to me because having seen the effects of Alzheimer’s first-hand and the impact it has on families, I think it’s important to understand the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, improve the care of people living with it, and find a cure.” – R. Libbey, TX

GiveWell

“GiveWell is a nonprofit dedicated to finding outstanding giving opportunities and publishing the full details of their analysis to help donors decide where to give. GiveWell doesn’t focus solely on financials, such as assessing administrative or fundraising costs. Instead, they conduct in-depth research to determine how much good a given program accomplishes (in terms of lives saved, lives improved, etc.) per dollar spent. Rather than rating as many charities as possible, GiveWell focuses on the few charities that stand out most in order to find and confidently recommend high-impact giving opportunities. Donations to their Maximum Impact Fund are granted every quarter using the latest research to grant funds to where they believe will do the most good.” – R. Richenberg, OR

Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

“This year, I chose to support the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, which aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. I’ve always been sensitive to questions of Canada’s First Nations, and the negative impact that some of our policies, like residential schools, have had on their people and culture. But the recent discovery of mass graves at these schools has brought to light the need to recognize our First Nations’ suffering, and work towards building a future where we can all live together in a more fair and inclusive society. Gord Downie, lead singer of the greatest rock band in Canadian history (The Tragically Hip), co-founded the fund before passing away a few years ago from cancer. I hope to honour his memory by supporting this organization.” – E. Groulx, QC

Hawaii Community Foundation

“The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people and places affected by the devastating Maui wildfires..” – T. Nguyen, CO

International Essential Tremor Foundation

“Essential tremors is something I live with and while my case is mild, there’s the likelihood that it progresses as I get older. It’s not life-threatening, but it’s something that affects my immediate family members and has caused anxiety in people I know. I’ve come across people in my life that had essential tremors without realizing what it was. To many, there’s the fear that their loved one or friend is dealing with early stages of Parkinson’s, but that might not always be the case. My hope is that education, awareness and greater research of essential tremors will provide those who have it, and those who know someone that might have it, the knowledge to give the people with essential tremors the best life they can have both physically and mentally.” – C. Ho, CA

Greenwave

“Greenwave is an organization dedicated to replenishing our ocean’s kelp forests through a plethora of programs centered around Regenerative ocean farming. By supporting ocean farmers from seed to sale, Greenwave seeks to restore one of the most incredible plants on earth to oceans that have been devastated by decades of harmful ocean practices.
I chose this organization because as a native of San Diego, I have had the privilege to grow up in and around these kelp forests. I have played with sea lions in them, eaten fish I caught in them and seen first hand how they have been dying when I worked amongst them before joining FantasyPros. Whether eaten at the root by urchins because of the loss of our sea otters or killed off by toxic algae blooms caused by rising ocean acidity, the kelp needs help. Healthy kelp forests are important to all of us whether you live by the ocean or have never seen it.” – M. Cali, CA

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

“The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) holds special significance for me. As a leading force against type 1 diabetes (T1D), it stands as a symbol of hope and dedication. This cause is deeply personal to me because my niece, along with many others, struggles with T1D daily. JDRF’s tireless work offers the promise of a brighter future for them. Mark Andrews, the Ravens’ Tight End who also battles T1D, champions JDRF’s mission. His advocacy underscores the belief that, through resilience, one can overcome even the most formidable challenges. Supporting JDRF goes beyond mere charity; it represents a commitment to hope, unity, and determination. I encourage everyone to delve deeper into JDRF’s transformative mission.” – W. Stark, AZ

“My wife, Bea, is a Type 1 Diabetic. Managing Type 1 requires a ton of consistency, vigilance, and hard work. Watching Bea manage her condition has given me a deep sense of empathy for those living with Type 1, and I’m proud and honored to play a roll in supporting her. I’m playing on behalf of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation who is helping to raise awareness and find a cure for the disease.” – T. Patton, CA

Leslie’s Week

“A close friend of mine lost her battle to Inflammatory Breast Cancer earlier this year. This is a lesser known type of breast cancer that is horribly aggressive as the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin. Leslie’s Week was her favorite charity to support as they provide “a week away from cancer” to women with stage 4 breast cancer and their families. I’m proud to be playing for them in honor of Kim.” – K. Thomas, VA

Make A Wish Foundation

“Kids are the future and every parent just wishes for a healthy kid. The Make a Wish Foundation helps fulfill wishes by those kids who aren’t as fortunate as others and have to deal with a life-threatening disease/illness.” – M. Vu, CA

Michael J. Fox Foundation

“Parkinson’s is a painful disease to watch someone go through, because it can rob them of many of their most cherished and creative years of life. The Michael J. Fox foundation aggressively funds research to find a cure for this disease in our lifetimes; I’d love to play in support of their research.” – J. Connelly, NC

“I’ve lost some of my favorite people to Parkinson’s disease: my maternal grandmother, my best friend’s dad, a close family friend. Parkinson’s is an insidious disease, so I’d like to play for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.” – P. Fitzmaurice, IL

Muttville

“What Muttville does is amazing. Having volunteered there and raising an adopted chihuahua from a pup throughout his senior years, it’s clear that older dogs have so much love to give.

The unfortunate truth is adopting senior dogs is often met with hesitation. Many people pass them by, worried about the vet bills or the short time they might have together. But these dogs, with lifetimes of companionship already behind them, deserve nothing less than a soft bed and a loving family for their final chapter. Muttville bridges this gap, ensuring these wonderful old friends are seen, cherished, and given the chance to be happy to their very last day.” – P. Situ, CA

National Alliance on Mental Illness

“I will be playing for National Alliance on Mental Illness. The donation will help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, provide support, and education for individuals and their families. It can affect to anybody, and NAMI operates through local grassroots efforts to ensure the support is tailored to challenges unique to that community!” – R. Priest, OH

“Nobody should feel like a prisoner in their own mind.” – A. Erickson, MA

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

“My charity of choice is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The organization is dedicated to bringing about “A World Free of MS”. The society’s mission is to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives. I chose this charity because my sister-in-law, with whom I am very close, has battled with MS for over 20 years. She was first diagnosed at the age of 23 and has worked tirelessly to remain ambulatory. She is a source of great inspiration for me and she deserves an accelerated effort towards a cure.” – J. Dominici, PA

“My mom was diagnosed with MS at a relatively young age and the advance in research has been very important for providing assistance at all levels to those living with MS. An increase in awareness of MS has also helped people start conversations and seek assistance earlier, and help improve quality of life significantly for those diagnosed.” – M. Gallery, MA

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

“All Cancer’s suck, and we all have friends and family who have suffered from them. I’m supporting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network as turning yellow and dying young sucks hard, so let’s do what we can to stop this terrible disease.” – J. McNary, NC

Parkinson’s Nebraska

“My wife’s dad battled Parkinson’s a long time and died due to complications of it.” – Q. Coldiron, NE

Phoenix Rescue Mission

“It helps fight against hunger and homelessness in Phoenix which is where I’ve lived my whole life.” – E. Woodward, AZ

Promise 686

“Our family has been forever blessed by the adoption of our 2 kids. The financial burden of infant adoption is considerable. It’s because of fundraising charities like this one that we were able to afford to adopt and complete our family. Can’t think of a better thing to give money to, than an organization that helps kids find their forever home.” – J. Brotherton, SC

Ronald McDonald House

“Our daughter had open heart surgery at the age of 8 to correct a VSD (hole in the heart) that she was born with. We were very fortunate to have medical insurance and access to great doctors, but to this day when you ask our daughter what she remembers most about her experience, she’ll immediately say the Ronald McDonald House. We were able to stay together as a family before and after the surgery in this welcoming, loving, and family-oriented environment. This not only helped us get through a very emotional and scary time, but it also allowed us to meet other kids and parents that were so special and inspiring. We are grateful for RMHC’s hospitality and resources, and we hope by supporting their cause that we’ll be able to indirectly help other families in need.” – D. Kim, NV

“My daughter’s lung collapsed when she was 6 months old. She was on a breathing machine for multiple days and spent 16 days in ICU. I was able to stay for 2 weeks on the same floor as her for 2 weeks while she was treated. I will always be thankful for the support that RMHC gave me and my family during that period of time. We didn’t pay for a thing the entire time we were there.” – M. Perrault, NV

“I had a cousin that had terminal brain cancer and The Ronald McDonald House was an amazing resource for them when they had to stay in the city and get treatment.” – T. Jensen, MO

San Antonio Food Bank

“Hundreds of thousands of children in Southwest Texas live with food insecurity. Along with them, veterans, the homeless, senior citizens, single parents, and many more struggle to provide nutritious food for themselves and their family. The San Antonio Food Bank provides food and meals for these groups, and I support their mission to serve the broader San Antonio community.” – J. Oswalt, TX

Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation

“Ovarian Cancer is the 5th leading cause of death among women in the US and it often goes undetected until it is too late. On a personal level, I had a family member get diagnosed and (fortunately) enter remission due to luckily catching the symptoms early.” – A. Sears, PA

SLO Food Bank

“Our family fully supports the SLO Food Bank’s mission to alleviate hunger in San Luis Obispo County and build a stronger community.” – B. Rubenstein, CA

Soaring Heights Robotics

“Soaring Heights Robotics is a public school team that participates in the VEX Robotics program, giving students as young as fourth grade the chance to get creative and learn engineering skills. By middle school, kids start designing robotic parts using computer-aided drafting software and even fabricate their own components. Funding for the team is minimal, and there’s always a need for parts, resources, and extra help. It’s also a great extracurricular option for kids who aren’t drawn to traditional school sports. This program is truly fantastic, and if I’d had access to this kind of education when I was young, I probably would have built a robot-powered football league just so I could play fantasy football year-round.

Disclaimer: I probably still wouldn’t be capable of building a robot-powered football league.” – K. Baron, CO

St. Baldrick’s Foundation

“Before working in the fantasy football industry full time I was a pediatric oncology nurse for over 12 years. I’ve seen first hand what donations & research can do to change the lives of families. I hosted my own St. Baldrick’s event previously raising more than $10,000 for pediatric cancer research. This foundation saves lives.” – D. Brown, TX

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

“No child should have to experience the diseases and sicknesses that many children do. St. Jude does a great job of helping children overcome these challenges and live long, happy, and healthy lives.” – K. Holden, CA

“I’ve been fortunate to have two healthy daughters, but not every family is so lucky. There’s nothing worse than a child who has to deal with an illness and nothing harder on a family. St. Judes gives those children hope and those families solace and that’s why they’ve been my charity for the last decade.” – J. Pisapia, NJ

“My friend’s son was born with a rare heart condition. I can’t imagine what his life would be like without the care and assistance he’s received from the very beginning.” – R. Chan, GA

“St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does incredible work. No child or family should be denied life-saving cancer treatment due to cost. St. Jude provides world class care completely free to families while conducting groundbreaking research that has increased childhood cancer survival rates to over 80%. Supporting St. Jude means giving hope to families facing every parent’s worst nightmare and funding the research that leads to cures for children everywhere.” – T. Kuntz, CO

Stop Soldier Suicide

“I am playing for Stop Soldier Suicide in support of my enlisted son. Every year 6,000 veterans and service members die by suicide- this number has remained constant for the last 22 consecutive years. Military suicide has claimed more lives than we have lost in most individual conflicts including WWI, the Vietnam War and the Global War on Terror. SSS has created a number of initiatives for soldiers and veterans- one of which is ROGER. ROGER focuses on suicide prevention and includes confidential and personalized virtual mental health counseling , crisis intervention and safety planning.” – S. Mossman, NV

Team Trees

“Planet Earth is our only home, so we need to take care of it. I chose #TeamTrees because forests are vital for the health of our planet. They provide food and shelter for so much of life on Earth that needs to be preserved. We may not be able to take back the deforestation that has already occurred, but we can work to fix the damage that has been done.” – L. Carlisle, PA

The Terry Fox Foundation

“Terry Fox was a Canadian who, after losing his right leg to cancer, attempted to run across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research in 1980. Although his cancer forced him to stop after 5,373 kilometres, The Terry Fox Foundation continues his mission, funding innovative cancer research with a commitment to low administrative costs so more money goes directly to the cause.” – T. Conium, ON

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

“HBCUs protect a rich history of scholars that had not other alternative to further their education. As acceptance grew, some with unforeseen life circumstances still have no other alternative. If it was not for the military, I would have accumulated over $120K worth of debt to go to school. Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) significantly impacts students’ lives by offering a comprehensive pathway from high school to career. TMCF’s efforts are particularly crucial given the challenges historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) college students face. Through our various programs and support systems, TMCF manages to transform the lives of thousands of students annually, making a substantial difference in the educational and professional landscape.” – T. Furman, NC

The V Foundation

“Cancer is brutal, and few of us have been spared by its reach. In my own family, my dad is currently bravely battling leukemia. As an NC State alum, I love Jimmy V’s story and I’m proud to support the V Foundation, where 100% of direct donations go straight to cancer research and programs.” – M. Dickey, NC

West Valley Community Services

“Once a week I volunteer as a gleaner for West Valley Community Services, my local food bank. I drive to a couple grocery stores, pick up their donations, and deliver them to the food pantry where other volunteers sort the food and serve the clients. It’s an easy job that has a direct impact on people in my community. I’m happy to do more for them, including this fundraising opportunity!” – A. deRaynal, CA