WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The 22nd annual Willie Stargell Celebrity Invitational took place Sunday morning.

The event held at Landfall Country Club is inspired by the life of Willie Stargell, a former professional baseball player who died of kidney disease.

According to the American Kidney Foundation, more than 800,000 Americans are living with kidney failure.

The annual event brings in celebrities and golfers to raise money for research.

Before Stargell died in 2001, he dreamed of helping other dialysis patients.

This fundraiser helps them keep their mission alive.

Other professional athletes come to this event because they know it’s a good cause.

“I’m here for a very good cause and this is an event I look forward to every year. I meet the nicest people. Have the best time. And one of these days, I’m going to win this golf tournament,” says Ed “Too Tall” Jones, a former Dallas Cowboys NFL player.

Jones encourages others to attend the event.

“I would just like to say that those who have not participated in this tournament, should sign up for it. It’s a fun time for a good reason and we’d love to see you here,” says Jones.

Margaret Weller-Stargell is the widow of Willie Stargell and says this event has been going strong for more than 20 years for a reason.

“When people say golf events like this don’t last 22 years, I say it’s not really surprising to me that we do. I’m very humbled and grateful for that, but I’m not surprised because there are so many wonderful people involved in this event who come back year after year to support our mission,” says Weller-Stargell.

Weller-Stargell will continue to spread awareness about how this affects so many every day.

“37 million Americans living with chronic kidney disease, so it’s important to get this message out. It’s important to do more research on kidney disease and make others aware that there are things we can do to prevent it,” says Weller-Stargell.

The event featured many sponsors such as Novant Health, Ruth Chris, Jeff Brown Yachts and many more.

Golfers who competed in the tournament had the opportunity to win a $250,000 yacht from Jeff Brown Yachts.

All the things that make this fundraiser stand out from the rest.

Weller-Stargell says that The Willie Stargell Foundation they host other events throughout the year. To know more about them, you can click Here.

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