INSIDE RADY CHILDREN’S
GIVING BACK In Memory of Benny
Ballast Point’s Brendan Watters honors his late son with support for Rady Children’s
FOR BALLAST POINT BREWING COMPANY CO-OWNER BRENDAN WATTERS, PEDIATRIC CANCER CARE IS A CAUSE CLOSE TO HIS HEART. On January 18, 2008, Brendan and his wife Lisa’s two-year-old son Benjamin Benaud “Benny” Watters was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) after doctors found a tumor on his brain stem. DIPG has no cure, and the median overall survival rate is only nine months. Benny fought for 33 months and participated in five clinical trials before passing away peacefully surrounded by family. He was just five years old. Benny was known as a joyful, sporty 5-year-old who was adored by big sisters Isabella Bradman and Lily Marsh. Like his sisters, he was named after a great Australian cricketer, Richie Benaud, in anticipation that he too one day would grow up and develop character traits similar to those Benaud was known for: charisma, tenacity and, most importantly, a humorous approach to life.
In Benny’s short life he displayed all of those qualities; he was adored and is remembered by all those lucky to know and care for him.
Watters and Ballast Point co-owner Chris Bradley have made giving back to the community one of their company’s pillars. Ballast Point partners annually with the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s and is committed through its mission to supporting core organizational partners in the fields of childhood cancer research and treatment. Ballast Point has also sponsored Rady Children’s Holiday Ice Rink and Celebration of Champions event. Most recently, Watters and Bradley recognized Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a donation of $50,000 to Rady Children’s. The check was presented at Petco Park on behalf of Ballast Point just prior to a San Diego Padres home game in September.
BALLAST POINT IS COMMITTED
THROUGH ITS MISSION TO SUPPORTING CORE ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS IN THE FIELDS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT.
TO READ MORE ON ABOUT BENNY’S STORY, VISIT: WWW.BENNYSWORLD.ORG
30 HEALTHY KIDS MAGAZINE FALL 2023
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