Tennis star Frances Tiafoe, who made history this year as the first black American to make the men’s semifinals at the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe,  spread both inspiration and joy this holiday to children at DC Children’s hospital. Tiafoe teamed up with CNN National Correspondent René Marsh who lost her two-year-old son, Blake, to brain cancer on April 14, 2021. René authored the children’s book “ The Miracle Workers: Boy vs. Beast,” an inspirational picture book about the power of hope when facing life’s toughest challenges, in honor of her son Blake. All profits from the sale of the book go to pediatric brain cancer research. “The Miracle Workers: Boy vs Beast” has so far helped to fund two research grants focused on finding a cure for pineoblastoma, the rare brain cancer that stole Blake’s life. One research grant was awarded to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the second to Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital. 

Tiafoe, who was awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award this year for his outstanding humanitarian contribution, wanted to focus his philanthropic efforts this holiday on children in the hospital.