Professional Esports Team Rallies to Raise More than $11,500 for Research

BCRF partners with Equinox Gaming on successful charity stream to “knock out” breast cancer

Tapping into the gaming community’s giving spirit and enthusiasm, BCRF recently teamed up with Equinox Gaming (EQNX) to raise more than $11,500 for lifesaving breast cancer research.

EQNX is an esports team and apparel company whose eight professionals and 15 stream team members predominantly play Tekken 7 and Street Fighter V, popular fighting games in which characters emulate the moves of strategic boxers, wrestlers, martial artists, and athletes.

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EQNX’s campaign for BCRF—called KO Cancer—was the team’s first official charity collaboration. From May 10-17, nine EQNX players streamed for BCRF on their individual Twitch channels—encouraging their viewers and community to make donations on Tiltify, spreading awareness about breast cancer, and promoting special KO Cancer raffles and merchandise. EQNX also hosted a special one-day tournament with a $5 entry fee that was donated to BCRF.

“The foundation’s mission really resonated with me—that it’s all about research and science,” said Owner and Co-founder Emily “NyxRose” Tran, who noted that her aunt and other close relatives have been impacted by breast cancer. “Research has helped my family.”

RELATED: Livestreamers Raise More Than $10,000 for Breast Cancer Research  

EQNX pro team member, Jeannail “Cuddle_Core” Carter, also played a leadership role in KO Cancer—streaming on her own channel and commentating on the Tekken tournament. For Carter, EQNX’s partnership with BCRF was personal, too: Her sister Tiffany was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in her late 20s.

“It was very overwhelming,” Carter said about her sister’s diagnosis. “I remember the last day of treatment when she got to ring the bell, and it was the end to that journey. It was thankfully a journey where she got to come out of it alive. But that’s not everybody’s story.”

Carter said it was heartwarming to read messages that poured in with donations from the EQNX community in honor of people who had been impacted by the disease.

“When we first were talking about this stream, I thought, Oh man, it’s gonna be big—and it was,” Carter said. “It felt really good to be able to be a part of this.”

Carter and Tran both noted that their community is smaller—but no less passionate—than other gaming circles, which made the amount raised that much sweeter.

“I’m super happy that such a big organization like BCRF would find value in the FGC,” Tran said. “KO Cancer’s success, and everyone’s generosity, was a testament to our community. Even though we’re small, our people are still so generous.”

Read more stories about gamers who streamed for BCRF here.