AbbVie is set to be the Major League Baseball’s (MLB) first-ever official pharmaceutical partner, turning strikeouts into cash for cancer research, starting with the 2026 season. This landmark collaboration marks the first of its kind for AbbVie and signals a massive national expansion of its ‘Striking Out Cancer’ initiative.
Turning strikeouts into impact
The league-wide campaign comes hot on the heels of a pilot with the Chicago Cubs in 2025. Throughout the 2026 season, AbbVie has pledged to donate $20 to Stand Up To Cancer for every strikeout recorded across the MLB, up to a maximum of $1m per season.
The specific $20 figure is a deliberate nod to global health statistics. According to the WHO Global Cancer Observatory, approximately 20% of the worldwide population receives a cancer diagnosis before the age of 75.
Advocacy in the spotlight
The primary aim of the partnership is to use the baseball’s platform to spark conversations around cancer awareness and research. Beyond regular donations throughout the season, AbbVie will also serve as the presenting sponsor of the MLB Wild Card Series. This opening round, immediately following the conclusion of the regular season, determines which teams earn a spot in the Division Series.
“Cancer impacts millions of families, and partnerships like this allow us to meet people where they are and spark meaningful conversations around awareness and action,” says Tracie Haas, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, AbbVie.
A new era for sports advocacy
For the MLB, the deal represents a groundbreaking shift in purpose-driven engagement, weaving public health advocacy directly into the fabric of the game.
“The partnership with AbbVie exemplifies the transformative potential of sports-driven advocacy,” explains April Brown, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility, MLB. “Each ‘K’ recorded during the season offers another opportunity in the fight against a disease that impacts the lives of so many.”
The initiative will also feature prominently during major league events throughout the year, ensuring the campaign maintains high visibility with fans and players alike.
