Hammer Down Cancer Games

Every year, a series of athletic games connects the Boilermaker community’s love for sports and dedication to finding a cure for cancer. The Hammer Down Cancer games raise money for and awareness of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.

You can Hammer Down Cancer by sharing your game day pics using the #HammerDownCancer hashtag and tagging @PUCancerInst, and by supporting the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research’s continued impact by giving here.

 

Upcoming Hammer Down Cancer Games

Excited for the return of Purdue basketball? This year's Hammer Down Cancer men's basketball game is scheduled for Friday, January 24th, 2025, vs. Michigan at 8:00 p.m.

 

Recent Events

Hammer Down Cancer - Football, Volleyball and Soccer

Thank you to the Purdue community for coming out to support cancer research during this year's Hammer Down Cancer football game! No strangers to taking on tough opponents, the Boilers faced Oregon on the field in West Lafayette on Friday, October 18, 2024. Boilermaker friends and family gathered to cheer on the team and take steps to conquer cancer.

In the same week, Purdue volleyball and soccer took home victories against Big Ten opponents during Hammer Down Cancer games, uniting fans, survivors and the Boiler family in the fight to defeat cancer. We look forward to further strengthening support for cancer research through future Hammer Down Cancer games, so check back for updates on upcoming events.

Hammer Down Cancer - Men's Basketball

Last spring semester, Purdue took home the win over Michigan on January 23, 2024. With a special excitement in the Mackey air, director Andrew Mesecar together with Boilermaker fans honored Beta Theta Pi for their incredible philanthropic efforts.  

Fight Like a Boilermaker Pink - Women's Basketball

On February 5, 2024, Purdue picked up the win in overtime against Illinois. Cancer institute deputy director Andrea Kasinski honored the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority for their important work in breast cancer awareness, and the Boilermakers auctioned off pink game-worn jerseys in support of the cancer institute. 

Hammer Down Cancer - Men's Wrestling

In this dual against Wisconsin on February 4, the Boilermakers auctioned off limited-edition singlets, with more than $5,500 in proceeds going to support the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment.

 

Other Events:

Challenge 5K Race

April 2025

More information coming soon.

Purdue Day of Giving

Purdue University and the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research are profoundly grateful for the generous alumni, friends, and fans who have helped to make our giant leaps in cancer research possible by supporting efforts like Purdue Day of Giving.

Every donation made during the April 2024 Purdue Day of Giving has served to create opportunities, encourage innovation, and challenge Boilermakers to inspire those around us. That’s why we hope you will rally behind us here at the Purdue Institute for Cancer Reaserch once again during the 2025 Purdue Day of Giving. We look forward to announcing the date for next year's event, so stay in the loop by checking back soon.