Breakfast of Champions: Game on Cancer Kicks Off 2019 Campaign

DETROIT – Game On Cancer – a partnership among Henry Ford Health System, The Detroit Lions and The Detroit Pistons that provides assistance to cancer patients and critical cancer research funding – will host a corporate kick off breakfast event, featuring legends from the Lions and Pistons, from 8-9 a.m. Tuesday, March 26 in the Hall of Legends at Ford Field.

Now kicking off its fifth year, Game On Cancer has raised more than $4 million over the program’s lifetime, thanks to the support of donors and fundraiser participants. Game On Cancer directs 100 percent of funds raised to the program’s mission, which is to provide a platform for funding groundbreaking research, enhancing patient care by alleviating barriers or burdens, and by supporting clinical programs that allow for best-in-class cancer care.

While the funds raised over the past four years have been tremendously beneficial for both patients and research, the need is still great and Game On Cancer hopes to make 2019 its most impactful year yet.  

“We are so thankful for our donors and fundraisers, who make a difference in the lives of cancer patients every day through their support of Game On Cancer,” said Mary Jane Vogt, senior vice president and chief development officer, Henry Ford Health System. “The fight against cancer is a team effort, and support from our neighbors in the community is vitally important.”

One such neighbor who has done a wonderful job of helping those in need is Ellyn Davidson, president of Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing Agency. Davidson was 36, the mother of a toddler, a kindergartner and second-grader, and account director at Brogan & Partners when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now an 11.5-year survivor, she now leads a Game On Cancer fundraising team at Brogan & Partners. 

“Breast cancer is never easy, but my battle was made easier by the amazing support of my friends and family. I realize not everyone has a solid support system when they are diagnosed, and that’s one of the reasons why programs like Game On Cancer are so important,” Davidson said. “At Brogan & Partners, we host a wine-tasting fundraiser each year, with virtually everyone from the agency helping in one way or another. Since we began that in 2017, we’ve raised more than $20,000 to support Game On Cancer.”

Brogan & Partners’ fundraising event is one of countless ways fundraising teams can get creative and have fun, all while helping those in need. In addition to her successful annual fundraiser, Davidson routinely offers her guidance and support to newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients and has spoken with more than 100 over the past 11 years. 

If you are interested in creating a fundraising team to support Game On Cancer or have questions, please contact Christina Johnson at gameoncancer@hfhs.org or (248) 515-8963. 

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 MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Adkins / (586) 307-2027 / jadkins6@hfhs.org