Minor League Baseball, American Cancer Society bringing back annual cancer fighting initiative
Minor League Baseball has announced a multi-year renewal of its long-time partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). The renewal will see a reprisal of the “Hope At Bat” program -- a fundraising and awareness campaign in support of cancer research -- for the first time since the 2019 season.
Minor League Baseball has announced a multi-year renewal of its long-time partnership with the American Cancer Society (ACS). The renewal will see a reprisal of the “Hope At Bat” program -- a fundraising and awareness campaign in support of cancer research -- for the first time since the 2019 season. The initiative will launch in June in support of National Cancer Survivors Month and continue through the remainder of the 2022 season in MiLB ballparks across the country.
“MiLB constantly strives to work with great partners and provide new opportunities to make a positive impact in our communities,” said Kurt Hunzeker, MLB’s vice president of Minor League Business Operations. “Our long-standing partnership with American Cancer Society certainly has allowed us to help fight cancer nationwide by raising awareness and charitable donations for cancer research, and we are excited to start our next chapter together this season.”
As an Official Charity Partner of Minor League Baseball, ACS will have cancer survivors and caregivers participate in ceremonial first pitch events and fans and players will have the opportunity to create “I Go To Bat For….” cards as part of in-game tributes to those who are currently battling, or have previously battled cancer. All teams will be auctioning off two team autographed purple bats featuring the Hope At Bat logo with the proceeds from one bat going to a local cancer fighting organization and the other raising funds for ACS’s national campaign.
MiLB teams will hold a fundraiser on behalf of ACS to assist in their battle against cancer with local youth baseball and softball teams playing a part in the fundraising efforts. Any youth team that raises over $1,000 for ACS in the month of June will receive a special ballpark trip and experience with their local MiLB team.
Future years of the program will feature players wearing purple-themed attire during games to help honor and celebrate those who have fought cancer or are currently battling cancer, as well as a digital cancer assessment tool that fans can use to understand their cancer risk.
“We are very excited about working with MiLB, their teams and their local communities all across the country,” said Sheri Barros, vice president of sports alliances for the American Cancer Society. “Hope at Bat is awareness with action, raising much needed funds and providing important information to the public about cancer risk. We couldn’t be more grateful.”
About Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Single-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. Fans flock to MiLB games to see baseball’s future stars and experience the affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of MiLB since 1901. For more information, visit MiLB.com. Follow MiLB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
*About the American Cancer Society
*The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.