Big Slick's big weekend
Big Slick 2025 kicked off with heart and humor - and a tribute to Kansas City
Big Slick, Kansas City’s favorite celebrity fundraiser benefiting Children’s Mercy, launched its 16th year with laughs, heartfelt moments and a shared sense of purpose. Many are familiar with the pre-Royals celebrity softball game and T-Mobile Center Big Slick Show, but Big Slick is a three-day event that brings so much joy into our hospital walls — including patient bingo, a magic show, patient visits and Friendly Feud in the Big Slick Auditorium, a space named in honor of the event’s extraordinary impact.
Children’s Mercy President and CEO Alejandro (Ale) Quiroga kicked off the May 30 press conference with an inspiring speech.
“Big Slick happens organically in a city like this,” said Ale. “You can’t build this with a business plan. It takes Kansas City, and it takes Children’s Mercy. For the past 16 years, we’ve raised $25 million and changed how pediatric cancer is diagnosed and treated around the world.”
Ale shared the powerful story of Colin, a 4-year-old patient diagnosed with a rare congenital cancer. Genetic sequencing not only guided Colin’s treatment, it led to testing that revealed a separate cancer risk in his father, prompting life-saving surgery. That same testing is now helping protect Colin’s younger siblings.
“Who would have thought a poker tournament would lead to a life-saving diagnosis for an entire family?” he said.
The hosts reflected on the evolution of Big Slick from its early days as a celebrity poker tournament to a powerhouse weekend of fundraising and community connection.
“Every year it feels like a big hug,” Gardner said. “It’s not just a fundraiser. It’s a family reunion with purpose.”
Asked what they hoped people would remember about Big Slick years from now, the hosts were unified. “That it made a difference,” Sudeikis said. “We love showing off our hometown. We bring people here, and they see how special it is — especially the people and this hospital.”
Big Slick 2025 raised a record-breaking $4.5 million
The hosts and guests, which this year included more than 50 celebrities, gathered Saturday night at the T-Mobile Center for an unforgettable night of performances and fundraising.
One of the most powerful moments of the evening came when the crowd learned about Peter — a cellist, a Boy Scout, an athlete, a chess player… and a fighter. While bravely undergoing treatment for cancer at Children’s Mercy, Peter chose to give back. He started his own fundraiser and donated every penny of his savings — $1,800 — to help other kids like him.
Sadly, Peter passed away just two weeks before this year’s Big Slick. But his spirit and selflessness lit up the T-Mobile Center. After his story played during the show, Peter’s family joined our hosts on stage, where, through heartbreak and with incredible grace, Peter’s father shared his son’s wish: That we continue the fight against cancer in his name.
And the crowd responded. Paddle after paddle went up — many matching Peter’s $1,800 donation — in a wave of love and purpose that helped raise a record-setting $4.5 million.
As always, the highlight of the weekend was the deep connection between the hosts, the hospital and Kansas City.
“Kansas City shows up year after year,” said Riggle. “We just keep the ball rolling — but this city makes the ball bigger.”