Connor’s Cure, a charity established by WWE in memory of young wrestling fan Connor Michalek, has raised more than $4.6 million and helped over 500 families, WWE says.
The fund was founded in 2014 by Stephanie McMahon and Paul Levesque, known in WWE as Triple H. Connor Michalek, a Pittsburgh native, died at age eight from medulloblastoma, a tumor affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Connor’s Cure supports pediatric cancer research and assists patients’ families. The initiative partnered with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and later with the V Foundation, which directs donations toward research grants.
In one grant cycle announced by the V Foundation, WWE and basketball commentator Dick Vitale jointly supported three research projects totaling $1.8 million, contributing $900,000. Two projects focused on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in children, while the third addressed solid tumors.
WWE says Connor’s Cure has helped more than 500 families worldwide. The fund also supports research into pediatric brain and spinal tumors and medical care for children and their families.