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

The event 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 Fund, more than 800,000 Americans suffer from kidney failure.

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

Before his death in 2001, Stargell dreamed of helping other dialysis patients.

This fundraiser helps keep its 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 it’s 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 player with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Jones encourages others to participate in the event.

“I would just like to say that those who have not participated in this tournament, sign up. It’s a fun time for a 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 happening for over 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 that’s the case. I’m very humbled and very grateful, but I’m not surprised because there are so many great people involved in this event who come back year after year to support our mission,” says Weller-Stargell.

Weller-Stargell will continue to raise awareness of how this affects so many people every day.

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

The event featured many sponsors like Novant Health, Ruth Chris, Jeff Brown Yachts and many others.

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

Everything that sets this fundraiser apart from others.

Weller-Stargell says that Willie Stargell Foundation organize other events throughout the year. To learn more about which ones you can click here.

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