CARY, N.C. & STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In an effort to help find cures for pediatric cancer, WWE (NYSE:WWE) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research today announced a multi-year partnership to support cancer research nationally through funds raised by Connor’s Cure. The announcement was made at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where Connor’s Cure was originally established, with representatives from the hospital, WWE and The V Foundation. In 2014, Connor’s Cure was created by WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon and WWE Executive Vice President Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque as a fund within Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation to support pediatric brain and spinal cord cancer research.
The new partnership will expand Connor’s Cure outside of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation and support other top research centers and hospitals nationwide. Connor’s Cure was established in honor of 8-year-old WWE fan Connor Michalek, a patient at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC who battled medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. To date, Connor’s Cure has raised nearly $1 million and assisted more than 100 families around the world.
As a result of the new partnership, funds raised by WWE will support Connor’s Cure through The V Foundation’s grant-making process. The V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of world-class physicians and research scientists, vets and awards top-rated grant proposals from the nation’s leading medical facilities. In addition, funding will continue to support the research being done at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
WWE is committed to raising awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research throughout the year through the sale of Connor’s Cure bracelets, fundraising programs and through its global platforms including WWE Network and TV broadcasts, live events, and digital and social media.
“WWE is proud to partner with The V Foundation for Cancer Research and expand Connor’s Cure in an effort to raise additional awareness and funds in the fight against pediatric cancer,” said WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon. “The extensive reach of The V Foundation combined with the incredible support provided by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation will help bring more awareness to this devastating disease.”
“The V Foundation is proud to partner with WWE in the fight against pediatric cancer,” said Susan Braun, CEO of The V Foundation. “Funding research at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and around the country, we are partnering to let the world know that we are helping children by finding cures.”
“We are extremely grateful to Stephanie, Paul, and the entire WWE community for the passion and commitment they have shown in creating Connor’s Cure and honoring the memory of a little boy who clearly touched them deeply,” said Greg Barrett, President, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. “The funds raised through Connor’s Cure have already made a significant difference in the lives of children battling cancer. The new partnership with The V Foundation will expand the national reach of Connor’s Cure and work towards the ultimate goal – ending pediatric cancer.”
Every year, 12,000-15,000 children are newly diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. Through the efforts of The V Foundation, progress is being made with cure rates for most pediatric cancers dramatically improving. The V Foundation has awarded nearly $20 million through 66 pediatric research grants to-date, including more than $5 million to pediatric cancer research in 2015.
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 basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $150 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process vetted by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
About Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Regionally, nationally, and globally, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC is a leader in the treatment of childhood conditions and diseases, a pioneer in the development of new and improved therapies, and a top educator of the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists. Children’s Hospital has fulfilled this mission since its founding in 1890. Children’s is named consistently to several elite lists of pediatric hospitals, including ranking 7th among children’s hospitals and schools of medicine (FY 2014) in funding for pediatric research provided by the National Institutes of Health, and is one of 10 pediatric hospitals in the United States named to U.S. News & World Report’s Honor Roll of America’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” for 2015-2016.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 25 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
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