DURING UFC 297 FIGHT WEEK, THE UFC RAISES MORE THAN $95,000 FOR LOCAL TORONTO CHARITIES
In order to celebrate the UFC’s return to Ontario during UFC 297 Fight Week, the organisation recently teamed up with the SickKids Foundation and the Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment Foundation (MLSE) to raise more than $95,000 (CAD).
In an effort to support SickKids, UFC and the organisation organised its first-ever Canadian online ticket competition. The winner and a guest were given a fully paid trip to Toronto to attend UFC 297: STRICKLAND vs. DU PLESSIS, which took place on January 20 at Scotiabank Arena.
The SickKids Foundation benefited from all net proceeds of the month-long campaign, which raised $30,000 (CAD).
SickKids, one of Canada’s most research-intensive hospitals, was established in 1875 and is associated with the University of Toronto. Its discoveries have benefited children all over the world. As a founding member of the Kids Health Alliance, SickKids is part of a network of partners that are collaborating to develop a paediatric healthcare system that is high-quality, standardised, and well-coordinated.
Also, UFC and the MLSE Foundation collaborated to organise a three-day, province-wide 50/50 raffle, the net proceeds of which were donated to youth initiatives across Ontario via online and in-person sales. Of the $65,290 (CAD) raised by the raffle, $32,645 (or 50%) went towards furthering the organization’s goals.
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The other half of the 50/50 jackpot has not yet been claimed by a winner as of this writing. As stipulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the winner has a period of six months to assert their winnings.
The MLSE Foundation, which was founded in 2009 as the charitable arm of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Raptors (NBA), Argonauts (CFL), and FC (MLS), has contributed over $45 million to Ontario communities.
The money raised from 50/50 raffles organised by MLSE supports youth sports programmes, increasing accessibility and giving young people jobs.
Malakai Adam, an 11-year-old SickKids patient undergoing treatment for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an uncommon and aggressive form of childhood cancer, was also treated like a VIP by UFC in 2021.
Kai has a chance of going into remission because of a genetic mutation, but his original diagnosis was that he only had three years to live. As part of the experience, Kai and his father John were given floor passes in the VIP area, where they also had meetings with UFC CEO Dana White and visiting athletes.
View The UFC’s Community Involvement
The net proceeds of more than 30 distinct 50/50 raffles that UFC has held across North America since 2017 have raised more than $1.7 million for local charities in the cities where UFC events have been held in both the United States and Canada.
Please visit UFCFOUNDATION to find out more.
