More Than $100,000 Raised: Coaches vs Cancer NEPA Continues to Unite Communities On and Off the Court
By: Justin Bradley | SportzWire | July 30, 2026 | Photo courtesy Justin Focus
The final buzzer may have sounded on another high school basketball season, but one of its greatest victories had nothing to do with championships.
Through the 2026 Coaches vs. Cancer of Northeastern Pennsylvania Suits & Sneakers Campaign, 29 schools across the region united to raise more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society, proving once again that the game of basketball has the power to bring communities together in the fight against cancer.
Leading the way was Valley View School District, which raised an incredible $30,000 to top this year’s fundraising rankings. Close behind was the annual Pink Game, a collaborative effort between Abington Heights and North Pocono, which generated $28,000 in support of the cause.
2026 CVC of NEPA Suits & Sneakers Top 10 Fundraisers
- Valley View School District — $30,000
- Pink Game (Abington Heights/North Pocono) — $28,000
- Abington Heights Boys Basketball — $7,000
- Delaware Valley School District — $5,000
- Susquehanna Community School — $4,500
- Mountain View School District — $4,210
- Pocono Mountain West — $3,570
- Montrose Area School District — $2,473
- Hazleton Area — $1,995
- Mid Valley School District — $1,879
While those schools led the fundraising leaderboard, the real story belongs to every student-athlete, coach, administrator, volunteer, sponsor, and fan who participated throughout the season. Every dollar raised helps the American Cancer Society continue its mission of funding life-saving research, providing patient support, advocating for better care, and working toward a future free from cancer.
In communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, high school basketball has become more than competition. Coaches vs. Cancer nights have evolved into evenings where rival schools come together for a common purpose, honoring survivors, remembering loved ones, and supporting families currently battling the disease.
Those moments are what continue to make the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative one of the region’s most meaningful traditions.
The Mission Continues August 10
The work doesn’t stop when basketball season ends.
The next major fundraiser for Coaches vs. Cancer of NEPA is the Annual CVC NEPA Golf Tournament, scheduled for Monday, August 10, at Valley Country Club in Sugarloaf, with a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start.
Tournament committee member and chairperson Mike Joseph said the event has been relocated after several successful years at Glen Oak Country Club.
“We thought we’d get a little bit more centrally located to the audience that we’re trying to attract,” Joseph said.
This year’s tournament is expected to feature an outstanding lineup of college basketball coaches and special guests, including Bucknell University men’s head coach John Griffin, Bucknell women’s head coach Trevor Woodruff, Lafayette men’s basketball coach Mike McGarvey, and newly hired Lafayette women’s head coach Ben O’Brien.
Also expected to return is ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi, whose annual Bracketology projections have become synonymous with March Madness. Joseph also noted that former Chicago Cubs World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon could make a special appearance during the event.
Beyond a great day of golf, participants can enjoy contests, prizes, a silent auction, and a dinner following the tournament, all with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society.
More Than a Golf Tournament
The annual outing serves as another reminder that Coaches vs. Cancer isn’t simply a basketball initiative, it’s a year-round commitment to helping families impacted by cancer.
From high school gyms during the winter to the golf course in the summer, the mission remains the same: bringing communities together to make a lasting difference.
With more than $100,000 already raised through this year’s Suits & Sneakers campaign, organizers hope the August 10 tournament will continue that momentum and further strengthen the fight against a disease that has touched nearly every family.
Want to Get Involved?
Coaches vs. Cancer of NEPA is still seeking tournament sponsors, golfers, prize donations, and silent auction items for this year’s event.
Whether you’re a local business looking to support an incredible cause or someone who simply wants to give back, every contribution helps fund the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives and provide hope for those facing cancer.
For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, contact:
Cindy Delaney
Senior Manager, Events
570-203-1397
cindy.delaney@cancer.org
Together, the basketball community has already shown what is possible. Now, the golf community has an opportunity to continue that impact—because the fight against cancer never takes an offseason.
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