Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer Raises Record $3.17 Million for Groundbreaking Research

Toronto, ON – Thousands of road hockey enthusiasts and celebrity ambassadors gathered in Toronto on Saturday to participate in the 2024 Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer event, breaking fundraising records with an impressive $3.17 million raised for cancer research at The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The annual event, now in its 13th year, has collectively raised over $33 million since its inception, further cementing its place as a key fundraising initiative in the fight against cancer.

More than 1,800 players from across Canada and the United States joined forces to support the world-renowned Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, ranked among the top five cancer research institutions globally. Participants took to the pavement in spirited competition, while supporters cheered them on, all united by a common goal – to fund critical, life-saving cancer research.

This year’s event opened with a ceremonial puck drop and a powerful display of solidarity, including speeches from Tyler McGregor, captain of the Team Canada para hockey team, and his oncologist, Dr. Peter Ferguson. The ceremony was further enhanced by a pipe band procession led by Pipe Major Glenn Healy and The Highland Creek Pipe Band.

Adding to the excitement, celebrity ambassadors were drafted to play alongside some of the top fundraising teams. Toronto Maple Leafs legends Wendel Clark and Darryl Sittler were among the familiar faces, joined by 1997 NHL Coach of the Year Ted Nolan and rising stars from the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), Julia Gosling and Maggie Connors.

Nolan, a cancer survivor himself, emphasized the significance of the event, sharing his personal connection to the cause. “Participating in this event is incredibly meaningful, not just to me but to everyone in the hockey community,” he said in a statement released prior to the event. “The funds raised today will help future generations and give us all hope for a future without cancer.”

The funds raised through the Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer event go directly to support innovative cancer research at The Princess Margaret, including advancements in precision medicine, clinical trials, and patient care that have a global impact.

The event concluded with a reminder that while this year’s tournament is over, the fight against cancer continues. Organizers are already encouraging participants to register for the 2025 edition, as efforts to conquer cancer through sport and community engagement carry on.

For more information or to register for next year’s event, visit Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer.