Awareness, Action: MLB, AbbVie Alliance Takes 'Striking Out Cancer’ Leaguewide
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 07:05PM By Barry Janoff
March 24, 2026: Building on its “Striking Out Cancer” initiative with the Chicago Cubs, AbbVie has signed a pact to become the “official pharmaceutical partner of MLB,” beginning with the 2026 season.
This partnership, which AbbVie called “a first-of-its-kind” for the Chicago-based company, will see AbbVie donate $20 for every strikeout, up to a maximum donation of $1 million per season.
Striking Out Cancer launches to coincide with Opening Day presented by Adobe and will continue through the MLB Postseason.
Financial terms of the alliance were not released.
AbbVie said this per-strikeout contribution reflects the 20% of the population worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer before age 75, citing the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Observatory.
“Striking Out Cancer is integrated into every game, across every market, all season long.” In 2026, all donations from AbbVie Striking Out Cancer will benefit Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C).
“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,” Tracie Haas, AbbVie svp-corporate affairs, said via the company.
“By expanding Striking Out Cancer across Major League Baseball, we can elevate awareness and reinforce our commitment to helping make a real difference for patients, their families and communities.”
The campaign also includes increased donation enhancements around key MLB events and a special contribution in the event of a perfect game or no-hitter.
According to AbbVie. “With an average of 40,000 strikeouts recorded across MLB each season, the partnership offers season-long opportunities to support cancer awareness, advocacy and the importance of making advances in cancer research on a national stage.”
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), is an initiative created to accelerate innovative cancer research that gets new therapies to patients quicker. As a founding partner of SU2C since 2009, MLB conducts significant awareness-building efforts through public service announcements, in-stadium promotions and various fundraising efforts.
Throughout the season, Striking Out Cancer will be featured across MLB platforms, including MLB Network, MLB digital and social channels.
Striking Out Cancer and its impact will also be spotlighted during some of the league’s most visible moments, including the All-Star Game presented by MasterCard, MLB at Field of Dreams and the MLB Wild Card Series. The Wild Card Series will be presented by AbbVie beginning with the 2026 Postseason.
“We’re proud to partner with AbbVie and expand this important initiative across the league,” April Brown, MLB svp-social responsibility, said via the league.
“The partnership with AbbVie exemplifies the transformative potential of sports-driven advocacy. By channeling the excitement and energy of every strikeout, the partnership delivers more than just a statistic on the field. Each “K” recorded during the season offers another opportunity in the fight against a disease that impacts the lives of so many.”
According to Rusty Robertson, co-founder, Stand Up To Cancer, via the organization, “We are tremendously grateful to AbbVie for selecting Stand Up To Cancer as the beneficiary of Striking Out Cancer. Collaborations like these help accelerate our mission to raise awareness and to bring new cancer treatments to patients.
“We are equally thankful to Major League Baseball, our founding donor, whose longstanding support has been instrumental in advancing groundbreaking cancer research. Together with the support of AbbVie and MLB, we continue to drive progress and offer hope to patients and families everywhere.”
The AbbVie deal follows new MLB alliances with Ford and Zillow.MLB today also signed a pact naming Gallo Wines and Spirits brand Mark West as its official wine.
MLB Signs Exclusive Deal With Ford Across League, MiLB, Little League, Softball
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