MrBeast gathered some of the most recognized figures in sports and entertainment to grant wishes to 100 children affected by cancer and raise funds for scientific research.
The video, titled “We Helped 100 Kids Fight Cancer” and published on July 25 on YouTube, shows content creator Jimmy Donaldson alongside stars like LeBron James and Dwayne Johnson in a series of surprises for young patients and survivors of the disease.
The project marks an alliance between Beast Philanthropy—Donaldson’s charitable organization—, the organization Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C), the biopharmaceutical company Amgen, and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which is dedicated to childhood cancer research.
The campaign seeks to fund a new team of scientists called the SU2C Pediatric Cancer Dream Team, which will bring together researchers from different institutions to accelerate the development of pediatric treatments.
Donaldson announced that he, Amgen, and St. Baldrick’s will make a combined donation of $6.5 million to boost that team, while St. Baldrick’s separately committed to raising an additional $1.5 million for the campaign.
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LeBron James participated in MrBeast’s video at the I PROMISE School in Akron and surprised children from St. Baldrick’s and pediatric cancer survivors.
One of the central moments of the video took place at the I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio, operated by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
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There, the NBA star surprised six children from St. Baldrick’s and other pediatric cancer survivors, with whom he shared a basketball court.
James also handed Donaldson the keys to House Three Thirty, a community space from his foundation in Akron.
“It was an honor to share the court with them, and even better to share our space and create incredible memories together with their families,” James declared. “We wanted them to know that they are real-life superheroes,” the player added.
The children’s reaction to James’s appearance was captured in the video: “I’m literally about to explode. I thought I was dreaming,” one of them expressed.
The project seeks to boost the SU2C Pediatric Cancer Dream Team to accelerate the development of pediatric cancer treatments.
The clip also featured the participation of The Rock and other creators and celebrities such as IShowSpeed, KSI, LaurenZSide, Sam and Colby, and the physician Dr. Mike.
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The musical group Stray Kids gave a performance and a meet-and-greet session with their fans, including a boy named Ezra.
Another participant received a Formula 1 experience, while a young American football fan who had been sidelined from sports during his treatment had a special moment with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
MrBeast also partnered with Disney to take three children to the Aulani resort in Hawaii and surprise them with an invitation to the premiere of the live-action Moana movie, where they met Dwayne Johnson.
The video started with Mac, a boy who had recently completed his treatment and whose wish was to go skiing.
MrBeast’s video also brought together Dwayne Johnson, Stray Kids, IShowSpeed, KSI, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in experiences for children affected by cancer.
The project’s conclusion was marked by an anonymous participant who asked Donaldson to use the opportunity to help other cancer patients.
That request led to a blood donation campaign in Greenville, North Carolina—MrBeast’s hometown—with the goal of saving up to 1,000 lives.
During a visit to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Donaldson spoke with Dr. Alan S. Wayne about the need to expand cancer research.
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“More than 105,000 children around the world lose their lives to cancer every year, and we are working to change that,” stated MrBeast.
Katie Couric, co-founder of SU2C, assessed the scope of the initiative: “Cancer is the leading disease that kills children in the United States. Every child deserves the chance to grow up,” Couric noted, while praising Donaldson’s ability to draw an audience, whose YouTube viewership rivals that of major live television events.
