Alex Ovechkin celebrates a goal in a 2012 game against the Montreal Canadiens. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR
Katelyn Auty
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Associate Sports Editor
Alex Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, is just 11 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record. Washington announced today that Ovechkin is teaming up with the Capitals, Hockey Fights Cancer, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research to launch THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer. THE GR8 CHASE is an initiative to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer.
Starting at the Capitals’ game against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, March 5 until the end of his career, Ovechkin is personally donating to pediatric cancer research for each goal he scores. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns and operates the Capitals, will be matching his donations.
Ovechkin has invited fans to join in on the fundraising efforts. The suggested starting price for a donation is $8 – Ovechkin’s jersey number – but donors may give any amount they can. According to the V Foundation’s website, “The donations raised will fund a childhood cancer research grant through the V Foundation in Ovechkin’s honor: the Alex Ovechkin GR8 Chase Pediatric Cancer Research Grant.”
“There is so much attention on the chase, so I’m using that to help. We should all help and make cancer go away,” Ovechkin shared with ESPN. “It doesn’t matter where you live, cancer touches everyone. It’s important for all of us to talk about finding a cure.”
In his twentieth season, Ovechkin is sitting at 884 career goals, only 11 goals away from breaking Gretzky’s record of 894.
“This is a true power play,” said Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, in a statement. “Alex Ovechkin’s summit to greatness on the ice has been a thrill for all hockey fans, and his commitment to funding innovative pediatric cancer research will make a lifesaving impact for years to come. We are thrilled to have Alex on our team. We look forward to celebrating his accomplishments and celebrating advancements in cancer research together as we accelerate Victory Over Cancer.”
For more information or to donate, please visit v.org/GR8chase.