Former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Craig Breslow once planned to be a doctor so he could help children like his older sister, who was stricken with cancer when Breslow was 11 years old.

But when the strike zone became Breslow’s operating room, the original cause wasn’t forgotten. Thus, the Strike 3 Foundation began.

“I started the Strike 3 Foundation to help ensure that every child is afforded the opportunity to prosper,” Breslow says.

Since its 2008 beginnings, Strike 3 has existed to strikeout childhood cancer by heightening awareness, mobilizing support and raising funds for childhood cancer research.

Breslow remains inspired by his sister, who was ultimately able to beat thyroid cancer. Along with teammate Andrew Bailey, the director of development for the organization, Breslow has been able to recruit participation from major leaguers such as Hideki Matsui, David Robertson, Joba Chamberlain, Justin Upton, Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Dempster, and Jon Lester in an effort to gain visibility for its cause.

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