WWE shirt sales will benefit Pittsburgh-based cancer research nonprofit
In recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September, the V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced a host of fundraising initiatives, including sales of a T-shirt to benefit a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit.
The WWE and V Foundation have been partners since 2016 in Connor’s Cure, a nonprofit that got its start at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as 8-year-old Connor Michalek battled a rare cancer affecting his brain and spinal cord. Connor died in 2014.
The WWE is releasing a “Team Up to Take Down Cancer” T-shirt and donating 100% of the proceeds to Connor’s Cure.
Over the years, it has raised $3.8 million and assisted more than 500 families around the world. That funding also helps support pediatric cancer research at Children’s.
The shirt features shadows of a wrestler, a child and a championship wrestling belt with the initials “CC.”
WWE wrestler Titus O’Neil also recently announced a $100,000 donation to Connor’s Cure, in partnership with his Bullard Family Foundation and Heritage Insurance.
In addition, First Watch, a restaurant with locations in Murrysville, Cranberry, the South Hills and Moon Township, will donate 25 cents from every kids’ meal to fund pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation.
“Kids helping kids is at the heart of our partnership with the V Foundation, and it’s been inspiring to see how, family by family, meal by meal, our customers are powering a movement to change lives and achieve victory over cancer,” said First Watch President and CEO Chris Tomasso.
Mark and Chris Pentecost, founders of the marketing company It Works!, have announced they will match every dollar raised through Sept. 30, up to $1 million.
“We have an outstanding group of partners who are committed to ending childhood cancer,” said V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson. “From breakfast to basketball to a walking challenge and a T-shirt purchase, I welcome everyone to join our mission.”
For details on the various ways to raise money, visit V.org.
Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@triblive.com.
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