Today is a good day to have a good day

Each fall, students in the UD Department of Sport Management sales and fundraising course prove it’s a good day to make a difference by competing in an annual philanthropy tournament. The competition requires students to create a pitch for an organization they feel personally connected to and present it to their classmates as well as a group of alumni judges.

The contest is inspired by the Gary Mioli Leadership in Community Fund, created in 2016 in honor of Gary Mioli ’79, a former UD football manager who had a passion for leading and helping others. This fund in the UD division of advancement gives students the opportunity to make an impact on a cause that matters to them. Since 2016, the fund has raised almost $160,000, impacted 40 charities and given away just over $40,000.

The winner of this year’s contest, Billy Gaskin, earned $3,500 for Anthony’s Avengers DIPG Foundation. DIPG stands for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer that targets children between 4 and 11. It attacks the brain stem, the part of the brain that controls breathing, movement and other basic life functions of life. DIPG has no cure.

Gaskin’s cousin, Anthony, was diagnosed with DIPG at five. Gaskin described how Anthony fought with a great deal of courage.

“The strength that Anthony had was astonishing and he was the type of kid that could take on anything,” Gaskin said.

“Even when times were rough, he continued to smile through the pain. Anthony was the type of kid that smiled in every room that he walked into and often went by the motto, ‘Today is a good day to have a good day.’”

Anthony fought for 19 months before succumbing to DIPG March 9, 2017.

The heartbreak and hope Gaskin’s family endured was the motivation to start the Anthony’s Avengers DIPG Foundation to raise money, support research and increase awareness for the families affected. Since then, Anthony’s family has hosted fundraisers, boxing fight nights, wiffle ball homerun derbies, sporting events and so much more.

“The way the community showed up for Anthony and continues to show up for our entire family and those suffering from DIPG has been amazing to witness,” Gaskin said.

Gaskin, his family and the community around him continue to raise awareness for this cause, including through the winning philanthropy tournament pitch. Gaskin said Anthony’s Avengers is an organization that will forever hold a special place in his heart, and that Anthony was a special kid who provided true example of courage, strength and optimism.

To borrow words from Anthony to describe Gaskin’s win – “Today was a good day to have a good day.”