MLB, AbbVie Build On ‘Striking Out Cancer’ Platform In Post-Season

By Barry Janoff

September 29, 2026: AbbVie, which this past March signed a multi-year past to become the official pharmaceutical partner of MLB, is expanding its “Striking Out Cancer” effort during the post-season,

Throughout the 2026 MLB season, AbbVie donated $20 for every strikeout, “a deliberate reflection of the 20% of the population worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer before age 75 according to the World Health Organization’s Global Cancer Observatory.”

Stand Up To Cancer, which works with MLB, is the beneficiary of Striking Out Cancer.

AbbVie is the presenting sponsor of the MLB Wild Card Series, with MLB calling it “the most visible platform yet to showcase the impact of the Striking Out Cancer campaign.”

This season, more than 40,000 MLB strikeouts triggered more than $800,000 in donations from AbbVie to fight cancer and support cancer patients and their families.

AbbVie has pledged up to $1 million per season in donations to support this cause.

The company said it is doubling donations during the post-season. As Abbvie says in a Striking Out Cancer spot, “Because the biggest strike out has yet to be thrown.”.

People at every Wild Card Series game will receive a “K” strikeout sign in the colors of the home team “to celebrate the contribution that every strikeout triggers from AbbVie to support cancer patients and their families,” according to AbbVie.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery unintentionally aided the cause by setting the MLB single-season record for a batter with 224 strikeouts during the 2026 season.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski led MLB with 252 strikeouts; Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams led the AL with 248.

MLB and AbbVIe said this initiative “creates season-long opportunities to drive awareness and fund critical cancer advocacy and research on a national stage.”

“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."

Striking Out Cancer will be featured across MLB platforms, including media partners and MLB Network, MLB digital and social channels.

This past season, Striking Out Cancer and its impact were spotlighted during some of the league’s most visible events, including the All-Star Game presented by MasterCard, MLB at Field of Dreams and now the MLB Wild Card Series. 

“We are tremendously grateful to AbbVie for selecting Stand Up To Cancer as the beneficiary of Striking Out Cancer,” Rusty Robertson, co-founder, Stand Up To Cance, said via the organization.

“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.”

Earlier this month, Abbvie signed as the official pharmaceutical sponsor of the PGA Tour and the 2026 Presidents Cup. 

“Birdies for Brain Health” is how AbbVie is raising awareness of disease states and conditions impacting brain health, including migraine, behavioral issues and Parkinson’s disease.

Awareness, Action: MLB, AbbVie Alliance Takes ‘Striking Out Cancer’ Leaguewide

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