Eli Manning Teaming Up With Tackle Kids Cancer For 3rd Year

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Eli Manning is giving again.

Manning and the New York Giants have pledged to match $200,000 in a grassroots fundraiser this year to support Tackle Kids Cancer, an initiative of the Children's Cancer Institute at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.

“It is truly inspiring to see how many community groups have held bake sales, car washes and other fundraisers for this cause, and I want to challenge more of them to join our team,” said Manning.

Rebecca Salmins, a Wyckoff girl who is now cancer-free, and Manning launched Eli's Challenge three years ago. (See related: More Than $7,700 Donated To Help Wyckoff's Becca Battle Cancer)

Manning matched $100,000 in giving in 2016 and $150,000 in 2017. Together with other donations, more than $4 million has been raised to advance education, research, and discovery to help find a cure for pediatric cancer, not including $500,000 that was donated Sunday at a Giants' game.

Manning received the 2017 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his work with Tackle Kids Cancer.

"We are proud of Eli’s work in our community and his selfless support of the Children’s Cancer Institute,” said Allison Stangeby, vice president of Community and Corporate Relations, New York Giants. "We value our relationship with Hackensack Meridian Health and are honored to be part of Tackle Kids Cancer. The work that is done by the Children’s Cancer Institute and those who have contributed to Tackle Kids Cancer has served as inspiration to Eli and all of us."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: On Sunday, during the New York Giants opening day game against Jacksonville, a ceremonial $500,000 check was presented to Tackle Kids Cancer on behalf of grassroots groups that took Eli’s Challenge and raised funds for the cause. This check presentation kicked off the third year of Eli’s Challenge as well as kicking off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Accepting the check for Tackle Kids Cancer, pictured from left to right, North Regional President and Foundation Chief Development Officer Helen Cunning; patient Jackson with his father Paul, mother Dina; Alfred Gillio, M.D., director, Children's Cancer Institute at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center; Derek Hanson, M.D.,program head of Pediatric Neuro-oncology at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center; Tackle Kids Cancer supporter, Justin Ward; Mike Budd and Hackensack Meridian Health Co-CEO Robert C. Garrett. (Courtesy of Tackle Kids Cancer, Hackensack Meridian Health)