In a remarkable show of community, sport, and solidarity, the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) raised an astounding $1.16 million through its first-ever street cricket fundraiser, Cricket to Conquer Cancer. The event, held on May 31 at Celebration Square in Mississauga, Ontario, brought together over 400 players across 40 teams, uniting for one common goal: to accelerate cancer research and care.
Cricket to Conquer Cancer is the latest initiative under PMCF’s Carry The Fire campaign, launched earlier this year to inspire Canadians to shift public attitudes towards cancer and the need for continued investment in research.
“Cricket is an activity that unites us all today, but we’re here for something much bigger,” said Brendan Ennis, senior director of corporate and community partnerships at PMCF. “We’re here to carry the fire: the fire of hope, courage, and determination. It’s the same fire that fuels every doctor, nurse, researcher, patient, and caregiver connected to the foundation.”
Ennis emphasized the emotional connection many participants had to the cause. “For many of us, playing cricket and raising funds for cancer research is a powerful way to honour those we’ve lost, and those we stand beside who currently face cancer. It’s how we channel our grief and purpose,” he added. “The discoveries at Princess Margaret don’t just benefit people treated here — our research is like open-source code, benefiting cancer centres around the world.”
One such testament to PMCF’s impact is Ganesh Radhakrishnan, a multiple myeloma survivor who participated in the event. “When the diagnosis was confirmed, it was overwhelming,” said Radhakrishnan. “My family and I were reeling, confused, anxious, and afraid. The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation has been nothing short of a lifeline for us.”
His daughter, Aditi Radhakrishnan, echoed the sentiment: “From the doctors and nurses to the volunteers whose smiles offered us comfort, they gave us more than just treatment — they gave us confidence. Whether we squeezed into a tiny exam room or came with endless questions, we were always welcomed, informed, and cared for.”
The event also drew several notable figures from the worlds of sport and entertainment, adding a celebratory spirit to the cause. The celebrity cricket match featured names such as:
- Carlos Brathwaiteformer West Indies cricket captain
- Dwayne de Rosarioformer Canada soccer player and FIFA World Cup ambassador
- While mereCanada women’s cricket team player
- Jamal Magloireformer basketball player
- Jully BlackCanadian singer-songwriter and actress
Each shared personal stories of how cancer had touched their lives.
“My father battled prostate cancer at Princess Margaret and sadly lost his fight in 2021,” said De Rosario. “This isn’t just about one family — it’s about an entire community.”
Brathwaite shared how his mother’s battle with breast cancer motivated him: “The research and development funded here helps people not just in Canada, but globally. This is a worldwide initiative.”
For Jully Black, the loss was deeply personal. “My father survived prostate and breast cancer, but my mother passed away from pancreatic cancer,” she said. “We need more money, more research, and more people to share their stories. There is no shame — too many suffer in silence. As a community, we must shed light on this.”
Miyo Yamashitapresident and CEO of PMCF, outlined the impact donor funds have on three key areas:
- Early Detection: Identifying cancer at stage zero, before symptoms or signs appear.
- Innovative Therapies: Moving away from toxic chemotherapy towards more targeted, less harmful treatments.
- Comprehensive Cancer Care: Including support for caregivers, rising cases among young people, and addressing cancer-related mental health challenges.
Cricket to Conquer Cancer may have brought people together through sport, but it was the shared mission — to conquer cancer — that turned a game into a movement.
