National Hockey League (NHL), National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the V Foundation for Cancer Research Announce Game-Changing Partnership to Accelerate Cancer Research
Los Angeles, New York, Toronto (July 12, 2023) – The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), National Hockey League (NHL) and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated charity dedicated to funding innovative cancer research, are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration for the Hockey Fights Cancer™ initiative.
Hockey Fights Cancer is celebrating its 25th anniversary and has raised over $32 million since its inception for individuals and families affected by cancer. Through the combined strength of the NHL, NHLPA and V Foundation, the initiative will expand in the following ways:
- Dramatically increasing the program’s pace of fundraising and potential for positive impact.
- Ensuring the increased fundraising accelerates research conducted by the best scientists in the world who are working to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.
- Sharing inspiring stories of survivorship from within the hockey community that underscore the vital importance of cancer research.
“The National Hockey League is extremely proud of the profound impact Hockey Fights Cancer has had on the lives of so many in our community over the last quarter century,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “We are continually trying to innovate and improve our game on the ice and to strengthen our connections with our fans, and our fight against cancer is no exception. Our strategic collaboration with the V Foundation, our broadcast partner at ESPN and the NHLPA to grow Hockey Fights Cancer will create catalytic opportunities to advance research, support patients and ultimately save lives.”
Each November, the NHL, its Clubs and Players host Hockey Fights Cancer activations across North America, featuring unique storytelling and supporting local cancer charities as well as the American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society. NHL Clubs, Players, coaches, officials, employees, corporate partners, and fans come together to inspire hope and courage for those living with, going through, and moving past cancer.
“The Hockey Fights Cancer program is very meaningful to me, after fighting and surviving cancer as a young child myself, and knowing that cancer has affected so many families within the game,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “The Players are excited to join with the V Foundation to further enhance the funds we raise with the NHL, given our shared goals of improving the quality of life of those who live with cancer as well as advancing research towards conquering cancer.”
Over the past three decades, the V Foundation for Cancer Research has been laser focused on advancing cancer research for all cancer types. Since it was founded in 1993, 100% of all direct donations go directly to cancer research. To date, the V Foundation has funded more than $310 million in research grants at the 72 NCI-designated cancer centers, a select group of other (affiliated) state-of-the-art cancer research facilities in the US, and a few top-ranked Canadian centers.
“The V Foundation has remained steadfast in our mission to achieve Victory Over Cancer®, and together with the NHL, NHLPA, and Hockey Fights Cancer, we are furthering our ability to fund critical research that will support cancer patients and their families,” said Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. “The ESPYS stage holds tremendous significance for us, and as a founding partner, we are immensely grateful to ESPN for allowing us to announce this incredible partnership on such a meaningful platform in front of the world.”
More details on this unprecedented collaboration will be made available after the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.
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NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks and Hockey Fights Cancer name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. © NHL 2023. All Rights Reserved.
About the National Hockey League:
The National Hockey League (NHL®), founded in 1917, consists of 32 Member Clubs. Each team roster reflects the League’s international makeup with players from more than 20 countries represented, all vying for the most cherished and historic trophy in professional sports – the Stanley Cup®. Every year, the NHL entertains more than 670 million fans in-arena and through its partners on national television and radio; more than 191 million followers – league, team and player accounts combined – across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube; and more than 100 million fans online at NHL.com. The League broadcasts games in more than 160 countries and territories through its rightsholders including ESPN, WBD Sports and NHL Network in the U.S.; Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada; Viaplay in the Nordics, Baltics, and Poland; YLE in Finland; Nova in Czech Republic and Slovakia; Sky Sports and ProSieben in Germany; MySports in Switzerland; and CCTV5+ in China; and reaches fans worldwide with games available to stream in every country. Fans are engaged across the League’s digital assets on mobile devices via the free NHL® App; across nine social media platforms; on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio™; and on NHL.com, available in eight languages and featuring unprecedented access to player and team statistics as well as every regular-season and playoff game box score dating back to the League’s inception, powered by SAP. NHL Original Productions and NHL Studios produce compelling original programming featuring unprecedented access to players, coaches and League and team personnel for distribution across the NHL’s social and digital platforms.
The NHL is committed to building healthy and vibrant communities using the sport of hockey to celebrate fans of every race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone® initiative reinforces that the official policy of the sport is one of inclusion on the ice, in locker rooms, boardrooms and stands. The NHL is expanding access and opportunity for people of all backgrounds and abilities to play hockey, fostering more inclusive environments and growing the game through a greater diversity of participants. To date, the NHL has invested more than $100 million in youth hockey and grassroots programs, with a commitment to invest an additional $5 million for diversity and inclusion programs over the next year.
About the National Hockey League Players’ Association:
The National Hockey League Players’ Association, established in 1967, is a labour organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League. The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labour relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations, all in furtherance of its efforts to promote its members and the game of hockey. In 1999, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund was launched as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. Over the past 23 years, more than 80,000 deserving children in 34 countries have benefited from the players’ donations of hockey equipment. NHLPA Goals & Dreams has donated more than $26 million to grassroots hockey programs, making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit www.nhlpa.com.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research:
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $310 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
