Chasing a Cure brought together a boat sweepstakes, a nationwide amateur bass challenge and a presence at a historic professional bass fishing tournament around one purpose: supporting Children’s Cancer Research Fund and its mission to improve the lives of children with cancer. By connecting fishing enthusiasts, football fans and generous partners, the effort invited more people to be part of the search for better treatments and cures.
The centerpiece of the sweepstakes was Randy Moss's custom iKon LXE21 Elite “Rookie of the Year” bass boat, won by Jason Lott of Ohio. Alongside it, CCRF’s Nationwide Bass Challenge gave anglers a way to join the effort through friendly competition. A special thank-you to our team leaders – Randy Moss and Jacob Wheeler; Hilary Martin and Kristine Fischer; Logan Parks and Hood Fishing Entertainment; and Dylan and Carter Nutt – for rallying their fan base. Congratulations to captains Hilary and Kristine, who led their team to a win, and to individual champions Ethan Conway of Mississippi, and Jordan Daigle of Massachusetts, winners of the southern and northern divisions, respectively. Both earned a VIP trip to The Champions in Nashville, Tenn.
Together, these experiences introduced CCRF to a new audience and put childhood cancer research at the heart of the conversation.The excitement continued at World Bass Enterprises' inaugural The Champions tournament, featuring the largest prize purse in bass fishing history, with $1.25 million awarded to the winning angler, Matt Robertson.
At The Champions All Outdoors Expo, the mission became personal. We met people who shared their own connections to childhood cancer, including survivors. Their stories brought the purpose of Chasing a Cure into focus: beyond the boats and competition are children and families whose lives are changed by cancer – and whose futures are the reason this work matters.
We were proud to be part of something so ambitious. There's a beautiful parallel between the spirit of this tournament and the work happening at CCRF every day. Just as anglers keep casting in pursuit of that next big catch, researchers keep asking big questions and pursuing ideas that could change the future of childhood cancer. Both take patience, perseverance, bold thinking and people willing to believe better is possible.
And that's where you come in.
Since 1981, CCRF has contributed more than $235 million to childhood cancer research and family support programs. We fund promising research across the country, focusing on hard-to-treat cancers, health disparities and helping survivors live long, healthy lives after treatment. We also invest in programs that help children and families navigate the challenges of cancer, because kids deserve more than better treatments. They deserve the chance to live full lives.
Chasing a Cure wouldn't have been possible without Randy Moss, Chasing10, Andrew Grein, Mark Schill, iKon Boats, Brian Bird and World Bass Enterprises. Thank you for championing this idea, opening doors to new opportunities and helping make it a reality. And to every angler who participated: thank you for being part of the chase.
Chasing a Cure is more than a boat sweepstakes, a nationwide bass challenge or a fishing tournament. It's a reminder of what can happen when people come together around something they believe in.
The tournament may be over, but the chase for better treatments and cures continues. You can be part of what comes next by supporting childhood cancer research and sharing CCRF’s mission with others. Thank you for helping keep our “chasing 10” – and the hope behind it – moving forward.