CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference will host its first-ever ACC Baseball Cancer Awareness Week beginning on Monday, April 21.
NC State head coach Elliott Avent proposed the initial idea to form an ACC Baseball Cancer Awareness Week. The Wolfpack, alongside the V Foundation for Cancer Research, will host their second annual Victory Over Cancer Game on Saturday, April 26th, as NC State takes on Clemson. In a show of support for pediatric cancer awareness, NC State players and coaches will take the field wearing special warmups and hat patches symbolizing the fight against childhood cancer. The game will also welcome local families affected by pediatric cancer, offering them a special pregame experience on the field alongside Wolfpack players and staff. Last year’s inaugural game was successful, raising more than $50,860. This year, the Wolfpack aims even higher, with a goal of $60,000 to support life-saving research.
Duke will be playing for Cristian Plata, son of the Blue Devils’ Athletic Trainer, Aldo. For the past 15 months, Cristian has been receiving treatment from the Duke Children's Hospital as he battles lymphoma. During the Blue Devils’ series against NC State, Cristian threw out a ceremonial first pitch to his dad.
Spearheaded by Julie McDonnell, wife of Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell, the Cardinals have been participating in “Home Runs for Hope” throughout the year. Individuals have pledged a donation for each home run that Louisville hits in 2025 with the money benefitting the Gilda’s Club Kentuckiana, an organization that helps support families of loved ones dealing with cancer. Louisville also played its annual cancer awareness game on March 18, where players and coaches were able to pick out an individual or two to recognize, wearing a special colored ribbon depicting the cancer and a patch with the initials of that individual.
On Sunday, April 6, North Carolina hosted nine patients from the UNC Children's Hospital, who painted shoes that the Tar Heel coaching staff and select players will wear during the Tar Heels’ game on Tuesday, April 22, against Presbyterian. As part of the Shoes 4 Hope initiative, the game-worn shoes will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefitting the UNC Children’s Hospital.
Notre Dame graduate outfielder Jared Zimbardo is a childhood cancer survivor and has played an impactful role on the Fighting Irish throughout his first season with the team. Brady Gumpf’s mother, Deanna, built a lasting legacy at Notre Dame through the Strikeout Cancer initiative during her time as the Fighting Irish softball head coach. Brady’s sister, Tatum, is also a childhood cancer survivor.
On March 8, Miami hosted its annual “Pink and Beyond” game against UConn. The Hurricanes wore their white jerseys with pink accents for the game, with a pink ribbon on the side to recognize those battling or have battled breast cancer. Before the game, players who have had people in their lives impacted by cancer posed for pictures with an “I Play For” sign. Sophomore Daniel Cuvet homered in the third inning and pointed to his mother, a cancer survivor, and made a heart with his hands as he rounded the bases and jogged toward home plate.
Pitt will be supporting pediatric cancer throughout the weekend series against North Carolina while partnering with the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Former Pitt long snapper, and current Cincinnati Bengal Cal Adomitas, will be throwing out the first pitch on Sunday, April 27, alongside pediatric cancer survivor, Nora. When Cal was a senior at Pitt, he launched "Cal's Kids", an initiative to raise $94,000 for UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The dollar total was inspired by his No. 94 jersey number, but the effort ultimately raised nearly $115,000. Nora was one of the patients impacted by his initiative. Pitt will be taking the field with pediatric cancer survivors on Sunday and fans are encouraged to wear gold, the color of pediatric cancer support, throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, April 19, Wake Forest wore yellow jerseys that were auctioned off after the game to benefit Brenner Children’s Hospital and pediatric cancer research.
For additional information on how each of the ACC’s 16 baseball programs will be participating in ACC Baseball Cancer Awareness Week, please visit the school’s athletic website or social media channels.