Collectible Baseball Cards Honor Dr. Anthony Fauci

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A former Hudson Valley resident now living in Chicago is paying homage to one of the top infectious disease experts in the world. Artist David Stokes, who was raised in the Town of Poughkeepsie and graduated from Arlington High School in 2002, created a line of collectible cards featuring Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is one of the top members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Stokes, who has worked in advertising and is a senior media and design specialist for an educational publishing company, called Fauci a "no-nonsense infectious disease expert who has become a national icon and unlikely hero" during the new coronavirus health crisis.

"Much like baseball, Dr. Fauci has given many Americans something to rally around during these challenging times," Stokes said. "Watching him deliver his candid remarks has almost become a national pastime, a common thread among us."

Befitting someone featured on collectible baseball cards, the renowned medical expert will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening day Thursday at the Washington Nationals game.

A statement from the Nationals called Fauci a "Nats super-fan" and "a true champion for our country during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Stokes said he wanted to honor Fauci in a way that was both fun and enlightening. Each card in the set is inspired by the look and feel of vintage baseball cards and features a different photograph of the medical expert on the front and fun facts and stats on the back.

An example of a fun fact about Fauci is that he grew up making deliveries for his family's pharmacy in Brooklyn from the time he was old enough to ride a bicycle.

The cards, which can be ordered from this website, are printed in full color on 30 percent recycled card stock. Each set is packaged in a hinged acrylic case.

Stokes said he believes the cards will be conversation starters today and collectible items in the future.

"Like the newspapers saved from President Obama's 2008 election victory, I can envision the cards being shared with children and grandchildren," Stokes said.

"We all will have coronavirus pandemic stories to pass on," he said. "Perhaps these cards will reinforce the position of scientists and health care workers as the heroes of tomorrow."

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