Blizzard and Overwatch 2 raised $12.3 million for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Mercy skin packs.
Heroes truly never die, as Mercy helps save real lives. Blizzard just announced their partnership with Overwatch 2 and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) raised $12.3 million from the in-game “Mercy for a Cause” summer fundraising campaign. This is the second-largest single corporate donation ever made to the foundation, and it would not be possible without the generosity of Overwatch 2 players.
“Mercy for a Cause” included the sale of in-game skins in Overwatch 2, a team-based game set in a hopeful and optimistic near-future universe. The skins–in-game costumes worn by the game’s heroes–included the original 2018 Pink Mercy skin and the all-new Rose Gold Mercy skin and bundle. Mercy, a playable hero in Overwatch 2, is a Swiss doctor, guardian angel, and staunch advocate for peace.
This is not the first time Blizzard has run this charity campaign, as fans will remember in Overwatch in 2018. That campaign nearly matches this year when it raised $12.7 million, bringing the cumulative total to over $25 million. The BCRF will use the funds raised through this campaign to tackle its main mission of preventing and curing breast cancer through cutting-edge research.
“This achievement is a testament to the incredible generosity of our Overwatch community,” said Blizzard President Johanna Faries. “The game team did an outstanding job creating the Mercy skins, and we couldn’t be more proud of this collective effort. Together with our Overwatch community and our partners at the BCRF, we’ve made a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Thank you to all our players and fans for your unwavering support.”
The donations made by Overwatch back in 2018 have already made a major impact for the BCRF’s Precision Prevention Initiative (PPI), which aims to accurately predict the risk of breast cancer, detect cancer as early as possible, and develop early interventions beyond surgeries. The donations in Overwatch 2 could further these advancements. Here is a list of the work the PPI have already accomplished:
- Development of advanced AI methods for analyzing mammogram images, to more accurate breast cancer risk assessments compared to standard practices.
- Creation of predictive models for identifying the development of triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive form of the disease.
- The identification of drugs that can delay tumor formation in some patients.
- The development of a gene classifier that strongly predicts the risk of invasive breast cancer for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), otherwise known as Stage 0, which often leaves too many patients wondering if the noninvasive cells known as DCIS will progress to breast cancer.
“We are profoundly moved by the incredible support this campaign received. This milestone not only highlights the strength of the Overwatch community––uniting players to raise funds for breast cancer research––but also underscores the immense difference that collective impact can make,” said BCRF President and CEO Donna McKay on the latest Overwatch 2 charity campaign.
“This generous contribution and electric partnership with Blizzard will drive lifesaving discoveries and bring us closer to breakthroughs that will save lives and end breast cancer.” One hundred percent of the revenue generated from the sale of the in-game skins (minus any applicable platform fees and taxes) went to BCRF.
