Princess Margaret Road Hockey, fuelled by Longo’s, Celebrates 15th Anniversary with Record $3.7 Million Raised

The world’s largest road hockey fundraiser brings players, celebrities and survivors together to Carry The Fire for cancer research

VAUGHAN, ON, Oct. 3, 2026 /CNW/ — The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Road Hockey event, fuelled by Longo’s, marked its 15th anniversary today, bringing together over 1,900 participants on 148 teams to raise $3.7 million, a new record for this event, in support of life-saving cancer research at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Over its 15-year history, the Road Hockey event has now raised almost $40 million.

Players laced up their sneakers, grabbed their sticks and hit the pavement at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, teaming up with celebrities, media personalities, cancer survivors and supporters. While teams competed in spirited games, everyone shared the same goal: creating a world free from the fear of cancer.

The world’s largest road hockey fundraiser has united a dedicated community of supporters since its launch in 2011. This year’s event builds on that legacy and continues to power the team of all-star scientists and doctors who are working on the next breakthroughs at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world’s leading cancer research and treatment centres.

“Every player, donor and volunteer here today is part of the team helping to turn the promise of cancer research into better outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Miyo Yamashita, President and CEO, The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. “For 15 years, our Road Hockey community has stepped up to help give cancer patients and their loved ones more ordinary tomorrows. Thank you to everyone who joined us today to score the next goal against cancer.”

Funds raised at Road Hockey will support research and care in three key areas: Stage 0, preventing, detecting and intercepting cancer at its earliest stages; Beyond Chemotherapy, developing more personalized treatments with fewer side effects; and Boundless Cancer Care, improving the patient and family experience through survivorship, rehabilitation, mental health resources and holistic support.

A powerful new addition to this year’s event was The Carry The Fire Road Hockey Net, a specialty hockey net built from patient wristbands. Representing 122,008 lives saved since the event’s inception in 2011, the net offered participants a tangible reminder of the impact their fundraising has on cancer patients. Each wristband represents 225 cancer survivors who are alive today thanks to cancer research and care happening at The Princess Margaret.

“Longo’s is proud to be a longstanding supporter of The Princess Margaret’s Road Hockey event, bringing our passion for community to the pavement year after year,” said Joey Longo, Chief Development Officer, Longo’s. “Seeing players, families and volunteers come together for this 15th anniversary is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish as a team. We’re honoured to help fuel a day that supports life-saving cancer research and creates more ordinary tomorrows for patients and their loved ones.” 

The celebrity lineup included Toronto Maple Leafs alumnus Curtis Joseph, former Toronto Blue Jays player Kevin Pillar, Olympic gold medalist Tessa Bonhomme and Toronto Sceptres star Jamie Lee Rattray. Top event fundraisers faced off against celebrity participants in the Road Hockey All-Star Game, celebrating their fundraising achievements alongside some of their sporting heroes.

Two participants also stepped up for the Shoot for $100K contest, each taking their shot to win $100,000. Wayne Robbins, from the ‘Ovarian Blitzers’, scored from 75 feet away and brought home $100,000, announcing that he was donating his prize to support cancer research at The Princess Margaret.

As the final buzzer sounded on this milestone year, the impact extended well beyond the pavement. The generosity of players, donors, volunteers, Longo’s and other event partners are providing a powerful assist to The Princess Margaret’s researchers and healthcare teams, helping turn promising discoveries into game-changing advances in cancer care.

To support the event, learn more, and register your team for next year, visit pmcfroadhockey.ca

ABOUT THE PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER FOUNDATION

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is Canada’s largest cancer charity. We’re dedicated to raising funds for Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world’s leading cancer research and treatment centres, known for its breakthrough discoveries that transform patient outcomes. Together, our work benefits cancer patients everywhere in our mission to create a world free from the fear of cancer. Through philanthropy, fundraising events, and our world-leading lottery program, we’re changing how the world understands, prevents, diagnoses, and treats cancer, benefiting patients at The Princess Margaret, throughout Canada, and around the world.

SOURCE Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation