WWE shirt sales will benefit Pittsburgh-based cancer research nonprofit

Sep. 15—In recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September, the V Foundation for Cancer Research has announced a host of new fundraising initiatives, including sales of a T-shirt to benefit a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit.

The WWE and V Foundation have been partners since 2016 in Connor's Cure, a nonprofit that got its start at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh as 8-year-old Connor Michalek battled a rare cancer affecting his brain and spinal cord. Connor died in 2014.

The WWE is releasing a new "Team Up to Take Down Cancer" T-shirt and donating 100% of the proceeds to Connor's Cure.

Over the years, it has raised $3.8 million and assisted more than 500 families around the world. That funding also helps support pediatric cancer research at Children's.

The shirt features shadows of a wrestler, a child and a championship wrestling belt with the initials "CC."

WWE wrestler Titus O'Neil also recently announced a $100,000 donation to Connor's Cure, in partnership with his Bullard Family Foundation and Heritage Insurance.

In addition, First Watch, a restaurant with locations in Murrysville, Cranberry, the South Hills and Moon Township, will donate 25 cents from every kids' meal to fund pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation.

"Kids helping kids is at the heart of our partnership with the V Foundation, and it's been inspiring to see how, family by family, meal by meal, our customers are powering a movement to change lives and achieve victory over cancer," said First Watch President and CEO Chris Tomasso.

Mark and Chris Pentecost, founders of the marketing company It Works!, have announced that they will match every dollar raised through Sept. 30 up to $1 million.

"We have an outstanding group of partners who are committed to ending childhood cancer," said V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson. "From breakfast, to basketball, to a walking challenge and a T-shirt purchase, I welcome everyone to join our mission."

For more on the various ways to raise money, see V.org.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .