The 2026 edition of Knoxville Panthers vs. Cancer raised over $13,000 for cancer care in the Knoxville community.

Knoxville Panthers vs. Cancer 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. The event makes money through donations, shirt sales, and a silent auction and this year it took in approximately $13,400. Festivities and an honor ceremony took place between the girls and boys varsity basketball games against Clarke on January 16th. 

This year’s honoree’s were Eric Goodale and Gail Young. All money raised stays local and is donated directly to Knoxville Hospital and Clinics for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Knoxville girls basketball coach Tracy Wilkins says events like this help with the momentum of fighting cancer and it’s particularly impactful in our local community that all the money raised from the event stays local. 

“We just have to keep committing and give the best we can financially and keep the research going and those types of things but also being able to have money stay locally so we can help our individuals locally who are fighting this terrible disease.”

Knoxville players wear designated special pink uniforms for the event.