Notre Dame’s Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser aims to build on nearly $5 million raised in 25 years

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Coaches, physicians, cancer survivors, researchers and community leaders gathered Monday night at Four Winds Casino for the annual Night of the Stars, the signature kickoff event for Notre Dame’s Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser.

Hosted by Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach Micah Shrewsberry, the evening celebrated local leaders making a difference in the fight against cancer while raising money for the American Cancer Society.

Each year, Night of the Stars honors four individuals whose work has left a lasting impact on cancer care and research in the South Bend community.

“Of course Coach Shrewsberry is the star,” said Brad Burk, executive director of the American Cancer Society in Indiana. “But the stars are the honorees — the physicians, researchers, advocates and people on the front lines fighting cancer, treating patients and helping families here in the South Bend community.”

The fundraiser has become one of the nation’s most successful Coaches vs. Cancer programs. Over the past 25 years, Notre Dame’s initiative has raised nearly $5 million for the American Cancer Society. About $500,000 came from last year’s Night of the Stars and Golf Classic alone.

This year’s fundraising efforts will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Chicago, which provides cancer patients and their caregivers with free lodging while they travel for treatment, easing one of the biggest financial burdens many families face.

Organizers hope to surpass last year’s total.

“The goal is to raise more money than we raised last year,” said Celebration of Hope event chair Rick Peltz. “Believe it or not, we’re in the top five in the country for Coaches vs. Cancer events. When you think about that, we’re South Bend, Indiana. That’s pretty powerful. We have a very local and loyal support base.”

The event’s impact stretches well beyond northern Indiana. Since its founding in 1993, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised more than $196 million nationwide to support cancer research, patient lodging, transportation, education and advocacy programs. Locally, more than $13 million has also been directed toward cancer research through Notre Dame’s fundraising efforts.

Shrewsberry credited the community, sponsors and local businesses for making the event possible.

“This event is awesome, but it takes Four Winds Casino, the businesses that chip in to help us and our major sponsors,” Shrewsberry said. “Those are the people making this happen. I’m just happy to stand beside them and do my part.”

The fundraiser comes as cancer continues to affect thousands of Hoosiers each year. The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 45,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Indiana in 2026. For organizers, Night of the Stars is about much more than honoring achievements. It’s a reminder that when an entire community rallies behind a cause, the impact extends far beyond a single evening.