PHOENIX, Ariz. (Nov. 17, 2023) – This year, PCL Construction, Inc. continued its longstanding support of the Phoenix Children's Foundation Big Dig for Kids event, donating $35,000, which will support a one-of-a-kind treatment facility for some of Arizona’s most critically ill children.  

PCL has been involved with Big Dig for Kids since 2016, and in the span of seven years, the event has raised nearly $2.8 million for pediatric cancer research, with over $848,000 contributed this year alone. The event gives Phoenix Children’s patients the opportunity to explore, interact and operate heavy machinery. This year, PCL sponsored a booth featuring several activities for children, including toy excavators, a water table, jumbo-sized foam cinder blocks, and remote-control construction toys. Additionally, PCL’s mascot, Bidwell the Beaver was present to take photos with the kids and their families.

“Participating in the Big Dig for Kids event over the last seven years has been truly fulfilling,” said Mike McKinney, senior vice president of PCL’s civil infrastructure division and Phoenix Big Dig for Kids board member and event co-chair. “It's contagious to watch these children, despite their daily health challenges, brighten up as they engage in the world of construction.”

Funds from the event go directly toward constructing the Phoenix Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The center is set to launch meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy, a targeted treatment for neuroblastoma – a type of cancer representing 6% of childhood cancers in the United States. Arizona currently lacks such a facility, underscoring the importance of the Big Dig for Kids events.

In the following video, learn more about how the Big Dig for Kids event and PCL's efforts are making a difference in the lives of critically ill children, bringing joy amidst their challenges.

About PCL Construction
PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $6 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.