SARASOTA – It’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean the fight to find a cure stops on the 30th.
And organizations like the WWE and the V Foundation have led the charge in finding a cure for pediatric cancer.
But with the help of a Facebook group created by pro wrestling fans – the goal of ending childhood cancer has been a fight both in and out of the wrestling ring.
“The love of wrestling I think is where it all stems from and hatred of cancer,” said Anthony Fonseca. “That’s what it is – love wrestling, hate cancer.”
What began as a small tailgate between a couple of strangers sharing a joint love for pro wrestling in 2015 – has grown to become a global social media-based community for die-hard wrestling fans known as Mania Club.
“We didn’t really think that we were gonna get one this big, and two be in the position to donate over $100,000 to this point,” said Gary Fonseca.
For the more than 4,500 active Mania Club members – their passion and loyalty for the WWE has led the online group to becoming the single largest donor within the V Foundation to have raised more than $85K for Connor’s Cure.
Established by the WWE in honor of Connor “the Crusher” Michalek. Connor’s Cure raises funds to support pediatric cancer research.
“I’m not sure what WWE’s vision was when they first started it [Connor’s Cure],” said Ashontay Owens. “I just know they had a vision because of Connor Michalek, and I don’t think they could’ve really pictured our group being flagship donors for that. I mean we’re single handedly carrying that charity in terms of grassroots funding.”
For Fonseca and Owens, Mania Club co-founders, neither imagined of turning their childhood love for wrestling and the WWE as an opportunity to help the more than 15,000 children and adolescents that are diagnosed each year with cancer in the U.S.
And with the support of the WWE and the V-Foundation – Mania Club has a goal of raising an additional $30K before April 3rd, 2022.