During last night’s game presented by Emory Healthcare, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, together with the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation, announced a $150,000 donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), reinforcing their shared commitment to increasing awareness of prostate cancer and supporting critical research initiatives.

This season, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation pledged a donation of $75,000 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), a leading organization dedicated to driving innovation in prevention, detection, and treatment of prostate cancer, while fostering a collaborative research community to accelerate life-saving advancements, including at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

The Ressler Gertz Family Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of Hawks Principal Owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz, have matched the Hawks Foundation’s donation dollar-for-dollar, bringing this year’s total donation to $150,000. Since 2019, the collaboration between PCF and the Atlanta Hawks has demonstrated ongoing success and impact, with this year’s donation increasing the partnership’s total to more than $1 million.

“At the Hawks, we believe meaningful partnerships can create lasting impact,” said David Lee, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Executive Director of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation. “Our collaboration with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Winship Cancer Institute allows us to elevate awareness around prostate cancer while helping advance research.”

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, has led progress against cancer through pioneering research and expert patient care, providing comprehensive, patient-centered treatments informed by the latest scientific advancements.

“We are incredibly thankful for the continued generosity of the Atlanta Hawks and the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation,” said PCF President and CEO Gina Carithers. “This contribution will directly support research initiatives and bring us closer to our goal of eliminating prostate cancer.” 

Presenting the check to PCF was Hawks Foundation Board member Arjun Shah and David Lee, the Executive Director of the Hawks Foundation. Also on hand during the presentation was Monica Boswell (SVP of Business Partnerships, Prostate Cancer Foundation), Phillip J. Koo, MD (Chief Medical Officer, Prostate Cancer Foundation), Keith B. Shoates, PMP (Vice President, Office of the CEO, Vista Equity Partners), and Dr. Martin G. Sanda, who serves as the Louis McDonald Orr Distinguished Professor of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine and director of the Prostate Cancer Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

The donation aims to raise awareness about the importance of prostate cancer screening, particularly among Black men. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but African American men are 76% more likely to develop the disease and more than twice as likely to die from it, with one in six Black men being diagnosed in their lifetime. However, when detected early, prostate cancer has a greater than 99% five-year survival rate.

To learn more about the Hawks, PCF, and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University’s partnership efforts, along with additional resources, visit Hawks.com/PCF.