Major League Baseball today announced that for the second consecutive year MLB Clubs will dedicate a special "Childhood Cancer Awareness Day" at all ballparks on Friday, September 1st in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In partnership with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), MLB and MLB Clubs will raise awareness for the fight against childhood cancer by having all Major League players, coaches, umpires and grounds crew members wear gold ribbon decals and wristbands. Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children aged 15 and under in the United States. Every year, an estimated 300,000 new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide.
Through this effort, Clubs may choose to partner with local nonprofits, including hospital partners or organizations focused on childhood cancer. Clubs and players may also donate tickets, ballpark suites and funds to Stand Up To Cancer and local partner organizations. Club activations may also include pregame ceremonies, first pitches, check presentations to nonprofits and hospitals, online campaigns and special childhood cancer awareness batting practice t-shirts.
Additionally, in collaboration with Major League Baseball and Starlight Children's Foundation, five Clubs (Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays) will present local pediatric cancer hospitals or individual pediatric cancer care units with Starlight Fun Centers -- mobile entertainment units equipped with the latest Nintendo WiiU game system to provide bedside entertainment to pediatric patients. Hospitals selected by the Clubs will also receive a donation of Starlight Brave Gowns, the newest program from Starlight that is revolutionizing children's hospital gowns by transforming them into high quality, comfortable and brightly colored gowns.
Clubs on the road on September 1st may select another home game to observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. Below are a few examples of unique Club activations:
Recent childhood cancer awareness activations by Clubs have included special pediatric cancer awareness batting practice t-shirts, online campaigns to empower fans to become fundraisers for pediatric cancer research and donations to local children's hospitals. Previous league-wide efforts included a $1 million donation to the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation. MLB and Clubs have supported the fight against cancer through a variety of initiatives for many years. As Stand Up To Cancer's founding donor, Major League Baseball has provided both financial support (more than $40 million) and opportunities to raise awareness for Stand Up To Cancer's efforts by encouraging fans around the world to get involved. MLB has recognized SU2C at its jewel events since the 2009 World Series.