The renowned captain of the Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin, is transforming his pursuit of breaking the NHL record for most goals scored into a charitable endeavor for pediatric cancer research. In a recent announcement, Ovechkin unveiled the initiative called “The GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer,” where he commits to donating a portion of his goal earnings for the remainder of his career to the V Foundation. These funds will be specifically allocated towards advancing research for childhood cancer, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds raised will be directed to this critical cause.
With a current tally of 884 career goals, Ovechkin stands just 10 goals away from matching the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. To support this noble cause, Ovechkin has pledged to contribute an amount equivalent to his career goal count for every goal he scores moving forward. For instance, his next goal will be accompanied by a donation of $885, followed by $886 for subsequent goals, and so forth. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the Capitals, has also pledged to match Ovechkin’s generous donations.
Expressing his commitment to this important cause, Ovechkin stated, “I’m proud to team up with the V Foundation and assist in their vital work of funding life-saving cancer research. Over the course of my NHL career, I have encountered many courageous children battling cancer, motivating me to do my part in helping save more lives from this devastating disease. I extend my gratitude to the V Foundation for their relentless efforts, and I am eager to utilize my platform to support their mission alongside Hockey Fights Cancer.”
Furthermore, Ovechkin invites fans to contribute to the cause by donating $8 in honor of his iconic jersey number, or any amount of their choice, through the V Foundation’s official website at v.org/GR8chase. Notably, the V Foundation has already allocated over $91 million in grants towards pediatric cancer research, underscoring the significance of Ovechkin’s initiative.
Throughout his tenure with the Capitals since 2005, Ovechkin has demonstrated a strong dedication to supporting causes related to children. Currently, he has notched an impressive 31 goals in 45 games this season, matching his total from the previous season of 2023-24 within fewer games played.
As the Capitals lead the Eastern Conference with 86 points and 21 regular-season games remaining, Ovechkin’s pursuit continues with the upcoming match against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night.
