On Sunday, March 15th, 2020, Arizona dignitaries, business leaders, healthcare workers, and philanthropists gathered at the beautiful Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley to honor six bright, talented, and courageous child cancer survivors. Known as Ballsfest Arizona, the third annual charity event was hosted by Ballsfest, a rapidly growing Arizona-based nonprofit that provides children and young adults battling cancer with amazing, personalized gifts and experiences! Founded by testicular cancer survivor Frank DeBlasi, Ballsfest is not your typical charity, and Ballsfest Arizona is unlike any other fundraising event!

As the leader of Ballsfest, Frank takes a personalized approach to every aspect of the organization. Through his relationships with local hospitals, including Phoenix Children’s, Banner Cardon, and Banner Thunderbird, Frank works with the Child Life Teams at hospitals to identify prospective donees. He calls them “Ballers” rather than patients, and he takes time out of his busy day job as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch to meet with each of the Ballers and their families at least twice before he determines their gift. Not only that, but Frank and his team put on a wonderful, memorable show at each Ballsfest event, where the Ballers are the stars!

Ballsfest Arizona 2020 concluded just one hour before Arizona Governor Doug Ducey ordered events of 50 or more to be canceled, and despite all the hysteria about COVID-19, over 100 guests eagerly gathered to support the 2020 Class of Arizona Ballers! Attendees enjoyed live music, a custom slider bar, and ice cream sundae station, in addition to an open bar with a wide selection of libations. As often is the case, the highlight of the sunny afternoon was the unforgettable Baller Ceremony. Held on the Mountain Shadows Lawn with Camelback Mountain as a backdrop, the ceremony was emceed by Television Anchor and Arizona Diamondbacks In-Game Host Vanessa Ramirez.

The 2020 Arizona Ballers could not have made Frank and the Ballsfest Team more proud! Ballfest is honored to welcome each of the new Ballers into the ever-growing Ballerhood and they are very excited to see the Ballers pursue their dreams in the future! Ballsfest also wishes to thank the other invaluable Ballsfest Arizona 2020 sponsors: Bedbrock Developers, Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes, Fox Restaurants Concepts, The Isner Family, Manor, The Miller Family, Modern Luxury Scottsdale, and MP1 Realty. Ballsfest is also very grateful for the tireless help from the Mountain Shadows Staff, the wizardry from Bun & Beanster, and the support of everyone who attended Ballsfest Arizona and made it a smashing success! To learn more about Ballsfest’s Ballers and to see how you can join the fun and contribute to their mission, please follow @ballsfest_ on Instagram and consider making a tax-deductible donation on http://www.ballsfest.org.


By Matt Isner

Photo Caption: From right to left, Baller Alumni Bridget Korn, Allie Hansen, Justin White, Audrey Lopez, and Brody Dick join Ballsfest Founder Frank DeBlasi and Ballsfest Arizona Emcee Vanessa Ramirez on stage before the 2020 Class of Ballers is introduced.

Photo Courtesy BALLSFEST Arizona