The Thoroughbred racing industry joined forces on Sunday, April 10, for the fourth annual PDJF TVG Telethon to raise $383,945 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The event was presented by Lane's End Farm.
The event, which brings Hall of Fame jockeys, TVG's on-air talent and other prominent racing personalities together to man the phone lines, has grown each year since the inception in 2018.
The event raised $330,000 in 2019, an increase of more than $100,000 over the inaugural event and, after missing 2020 due to the pandemic, returned in 2021 with $339,672 in donations.
“This event has become a rallying point for everyone at TVG and its continuing growth and the way that racing fans and the racing industry have embraced it has been inspiring for everyone here,” said Kevin Grigsby, TVG executive producer. “We are grateful to our friends at Santa Anita, Keeneland and at NYRA for their collaborative efforts to make this event such a success. We're proud to have helped raise more than $1.2 million for the PDJF since we started and we are already looking forward to next year's telethon.”
“The support we received this year was tremendous,” said Mike Joyce, a board member of the PDJF and on-air host at TVG. “Honestly, you can't over emphasize how important every donation is, both large and small. There are entirely too many people to thank for bringing the fund it's largest sum to date on a single telethon. It was such an outpouring of generosity that it really leaves you speechless.”
“On behalf of our recipients and the PDJF Board, we are blessed and so very grateful for the support we received from our industry partners who provided the platform for the Telethon that allowed us to reach so many during the 6-hour broadcast,” said Nancy LaSala, PDJF President. “The needs and journeys of our recipients vary and are ever changing. The message of PDJF recipient Roger Blanco at the end of the broadcast to all who supported the PDJF on this day and in the past is a message that resonates for all PDJF recipients, “We appreciate you and what you have done for us”.”
There were donations from supporters across the country including major donations from Lane's End Farm, Lee, Aimee and Jeffrey Einsidler, Jim McIngval and John Hendrickson on behalf of the Marylou Whitney Foundation. In addition, FanDuel, the parent company of TVG, matched all donations up to $100,000.
This year for the first time the event was simulcast on both TVG and America's Day at the Races in collaboration with NYRA and FOX Sports.
The PDJF is a registered 501(c)3 charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered on-track injuries. Since its foundation in 2006, PDJF has disbursed over $11 million to support disabled jockeys, the organization is 100 percent reliant on charitable donations.
The post Fourth Annual TVG Telethon Raises $383,945 For Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
