Felisa Israel and her family are grateful for Dr. Pablo Prichard. The Scottsdale plastic surgeon saved her sister’s life.
“My sister and parents were involved in a traumatic head-on car collision,” Israel says.
“They were hit by someone who was texting and driving. All three ended up in the ICU. She wound up with a hematoma on the side of her thigh that made her look deformed. A couple years later, it became severely infected. The way it was attached to the leg, no other doctor would touch it. She was in the hospital for 30 days. Dr. Prichard came in and took care of her the way other doctors wouldn’t.
“The only thing missing was a cape.”
Now the two, along with The Giving Back Fund, are hoping to raise $2 million for charities, including the Justin J. Watt Foundation, with Big Game Big Give at the doctor’s Paradise Valley home at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feburary 11.
It’s co-hosted by retired football star J.J. Watt. Former Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers player Cedric Ceballos will serve as the event emcee and DJ.
“I am honored that The Giving Back Fund has chosen the Justin J. Watt Foundation as one of the beneficiaries for this great event,” Watt says.
“While I am very much looking forward to the evening, I’m even more excited about the way we’re going to utilize these funds to help kids in underfunded areas all across the country.”
At Big Game Big Give, The Vincere Foundation will be honored. Founded by Prichard and Dr. Vershalee Shukla, The Vincere Foundation dives into prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer in firefighters and first responders.
Cancer is responsible for 60% of all on-duty deaths due to an increase in the toxins emitted in synthetic building materials and flame retardants that have become increasingly used in construction and furniture/flooring; increased job stress and PTSD; and increased breaks in the circadian rhythm/sleep-wake cycle disruptions, which together with increased stress lowers the immune system, increasing the chance for cancer.
NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, who played 18 NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, will receive The Giving Back Fund’s Award for Extraordinary Philanthropic Achievement.
The night forward be renamed in his honor. The award will be presented by former NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis. Mutombo is undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. Shaquille O’Neal has been invited to accept the award on his behalf.
Israel’s 10 Fold Entertainment is executive producing the 12th annual Big Game Big Give. The invitation-only event attracts celebrities, athletes and philanthropists from around the country.
This marks a return to Arizona for Israel, who began her 20-year career with the NBA as the director of entertainment and special events at the Phoenix Suns and Mercury. She subsequently served as the NBA’s director of live programming and entertainment.
As part of the festivities, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw will perform songs like “I Don’t Want to Be,” “Chariot” and “Follow Through.”
“I’m excited to go back to Arizona for the Big Game Big Give event to perform,” DeGraw says. “The Giving Back Fund and Vincere Foundation support two things close to my heart, cancer research and helping firefighters. This is a good cause. Let’s raise some money.”
An accomplished pianist, Pritchard will perform dueling pianos with DeGraw.
“I’m excited about that for the doctor,” Israel says. “What a nice outlet for him.”
The event is traditionally held at an exclusive private estate the night before the Super Bowl in the host city. In 2015, The Giving Back Fund raised more than $1.5 million in the Valley when Big Game Big Give was held at the home of Matt and Erika Williams and hosted by Mark Wahlberg and Michael Bay.
Among the other experiences for guests that night are live and silent auctions, a tea experience, a salt healing room, rare crystal readings, underwater art experience by Christy Lee Rogers, food stations, sound bowls, cocktail bars, fire dancers, aerialist and fashion show honoring Arizona firefighters curated by ArtxShanna.
“I don’t want this to be just another Super Bowl party,” Israel says.
“It has to be meaningful. Look at what we’ve all gone through — COVID-19 and the world blowing up piece by piece. This is our opportunity to be inclusive and unified and to come together in a special and beautiful way.”
Big Game Big Give
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday, February 11
WHERE: Private Paradise Valley home
COST: $3,000, fully tax deductible
INFO: givingback.org/bgbg2023
