The annual Knoxville Panthers vs. Cancer event will take place tonight.

Knoxville High School’s annual event is aimed at raising funds and awareness for cancer, helping community members overcome a cancer diagnosis, and having access to the best care and treatment plans possible. Last year, the community raised $26,000 to help the fight against cancer, with 100% of that money staying local, as it was donated directly to Knoxville Hospital and Clinics to assist patients. The aim for this year’s fundraiser is to assist in providing helpful materials for the new state-of-the-art cancer infusion center, which is currently open and serving patients at Knoxville Hospital and Clinics.

Funds raised from the events auction are donated directly to the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Foundation. Bidding for the auction is underway and will conclude Friday. View the auction items here. The annual Panthers vs. Cancer games will be held tonight with a ceremony to take place between the girls and boys contests. Knoxville Girls Basketball Coach Matt Ritchhart is an organizer for the event and says it has been a priority since he and his wife Megan took this over for the money raised to stay in Knoxville.

“That’s really rewarding. We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from the community saying how much they appreciate it staying here. We want cancer research to obviously go as well but to make any type of add ons at the hospital because this is just a cherry on top.”

The girls and boys varsity basketball games tonight against Davis County start at 6:30 pm, and can be heard live on 95.3 KNIA.