Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has launched “The GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer,” a fundraising initiative in partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Hockey Fights Cancer™, aiming to support pediatric cancer research.
As part of this campaign, Ovechkin will donate an amount equal to his career goal total for each goal he scores for the remainder of his NHL career. For instance, upon scoring his 885th goal, he will contribute $885, with the donation amount increasing incrementally with each subsequent goal. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Capitals, has pledged to match his donations, effectively doubling the contribution per goal.
Ovechkin is also encouraging fans to participate by donating $8—or any amount they choose—in honor of his jersey number and his pursuit of the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record. Donations can be made through the V Foundation’s website.
Currently standing at 884 career goals, Ovechkin is closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals. Beyond his on-ice achievements, Ovechkin has a longstanding commitment to supporting children’s causes. In 2006, he launched “Ovi’s 8’s,” a program providing underserved children with tickets to Capitals games, benefiting over 6,000 individuals to date. He also maintains a longstanding relationship with the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), having hosted multiple ASHA skating sessions as well as a street hockey event since 2014.
The V Foundation, established in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, has funded nearly $400 million in cancer research grants. Notably, 100% of direct donations are allocated to cancer research and related programs, as an endowment covers administrative expenses.
Ovechkin’s initiative exemplifies the profound impact athletes can have beyond their sports careers, leveraging their platforms to drive meaningful change in critical areas such as cancer research.
