Prostate Cancer Foundation Launches 31st Annual Home Run Challenge to Keep Dad in the Game and Advance Life-Saving Research

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) today announced the start of the 31st season of its Home Run Challenge (HRC), a nationwide campaign that has raised $150 million since its inception by turning every Major League Baseball home run into support for lifesaving prostate cancer research, awareness and early detection.

Founded by PCF Chairman Mike Milken, the Home Run Challenge was created to “Keep Dad in the Game,” inspiring generations of baseball fans across America around a cause that affects families in every community. This year alone, 333,830 men in the United States are expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Behind every statistic is a family facing the fear and uncertainty of prostate cancer,” said Gina Carithers, president and CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “The Home Run Challenge gives baseball fans a powerful way to turn their love of the game into action — supporting lifesaving research, raising awareness, and encouraging conversations about early detection. Because when prostate cancer is found early, it can save lives. That’s what it means to Keep Dad in the Game.”

Over the past three decades, the Home Run Challenge has engaged all 30 Major League Baseball teams, reached more than 500 games across North America and featured participation from 40 Hall of Famers in support of prostate cancer research and awareness efforts. Since its founding in 1993, PCF has raised more than $1 billion to support cutting-edge prostate cancer research and helped accelerate advances that have transformed care for patients around the world.

Fans can support the 2026 Home Run Challenge by making a donation at pcf.org/homerunchallenge. Throughout the season, the Home Run Challenge will come to life through in-ballpark activations, survivor recognition moments and awareness efforts designed to encourage conversations about prostate cancer, the importance of early detection and the lifesaving impact of research.

“Despite the progress we’ve made, one man still dies from prostate cancer every 14.5 minutes in the United States,” said Phillip Koo, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “The encouraging news is that men diagnosed today have more treatment options than ever before, and those advances have been made possible through sustained investment in research. Continued support is critical if we are going to detect prostate cancer earlier, improve outcomes and ultimately save more lives.”

As families prepare to celebrate Father’s Day this month, the Home Run Challenge offers a meaningful way to keep fathers, grandfathers, brothers, sons and friends in the game while supporting lifesaving research throughout the baseball season. To learn more or participate, visit www.pcf.org/homerunchallenge.

Quick Facts About Prostate Cancer

• Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 8 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime - about the equivalent of one player on a baseball field.
• Mortality: While advances in research have improved outcomes, prostate cancer still claims the life of one man every 14.5 minutes in the U.S. - roughly one life lost per inning.
• Advancements: Men diagnosed with prostate cancer today have significantly more treatment options than they did when PCF was founded more than 30 years ago. There are now 27 FDA-approved therapies available for prostate cancer, and PCF-funded research has contributed to the development of 14 of those treatments.
• Survivorship: If caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable, with up to a 98% chance of successful treatment, highlighting the critical importance of early detection and PSA screening.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization dedicated to funding life-saving prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993 by Mike Milken, PCF has raised more than $1 billion to fund cutting-edge research through more than 2,615 research projects at 312 leading cancer centers, with a global footprint spanning 29 countries. Since PCF’s inception, and through its efforts, patients around the world are living longer, suffering fewer complications, and enjoying better quality of life. PCF is committed to the mission of ending death and suffering from this disease. Learn more at pcf.org.