The Valley community is once again coming together for a cause that blends food, family, and philanthropy as Babbo Italian Eatery prepares to host its fifth annual Baseball for Babbo Day of Giving on February 25. The event directs 100 percent of profits from all seven locations to pancreatic cancer research, benefiting the Seena Magowitz Foundation and the HonorHealth Research Institute.
Since its launch, the annual Day of Giving has raised more than $620,000, and this year’s campaign is on track to reach the ambitious $1 million milestone. To amplify the community’s generosity, the Pollack family and foundation founder Roger E. Magowitz will each match donations up to $50,000, doubling the impact of the day’s fundraising.
The event honors the memory of Babbo founder Ken Pollack, a lifelong baseball enthusiast who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022. The restaurant’s name, “Babbo,” meaning “daddy” in Italian, reflects the central role Pollack played in guiding his family, employees, and the community.
“My dad believed in bringing people together and caring for the community,” said Taylor Schultz, Pollack’s daughter and marketing director at Babbo. “Our annual Day of Giving allows us to honor his legacy while supporting research that makes a difference and offers hope to families facing this disease.”
Pancreatic cancer remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with a five-year survival rate of 13 percent. Although survival rates have improved in recent years, researchers emphasize that significant work remains in early detection, treatment expansion, and drug development. The Seena Magowitz Foundation focuses on advancing research, raising awareness, and connecting patients and caregivers with leading specialists to improve both outcomes and quality of life.
Memory Lane Sports Collectables and several Cactus League teams have contributed signed baseballs and autographed memorabilia for auction, reinforcing the connection between the game Pollack loved and the mission that carries his legacy forward. Community members can participate in the Day of Giving by dining in, ordering takeout, arranging catering, or purchasing gift cards on February 25.
Additional opportunities to contribute include direct donations, raffle ticket purchases, auction bidding and sponsorship support. Babbo Italian Eatery and the Seena Magowitz Foundation will host a special gathering that day for pancreatic cancer patients, caregivers, and medical teams at HonorHealth Research Institute, recognizing their commitment to advancing care and research. For more: seenamagowitzfoundation.org.
