“It’s super important to give back to those kids and families”: How Sophie Cunningham helps families battling cancer find joy through WNBA games

For households dealing with cancer, a couple of hours far from healthcare facility regimens can use a welcome break. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has actually assisted households remaining at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona delight in Phoenix Mercury video games, satisfy her and hang out together far from their everyday battles.

Her connection with the charity started years before her WNBA profession, when a check out to a Ronald McDonald House in Chicago revealed her the obstacles dealt with by households looking after seriously ill kids.

How Sophie Cunningham utilized Phoenix Mercury video games to support households dealing with youth cancer

Cunningham’s dedication to the cause started throughout her high school years, when she contended in the McDonald’s All-American Games in Chicago. Going To a Ronald McDonald House presented her to households handling severe youth diseases and left an enduring impression.In a July 11, 2023, interview with Frontdoors Media, Cunningham described why the cause remained near her heart.“My number-one is Ronald McDonald House,” she stated. “I got exposed to it at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago throughout the McDonald’s All American Games, and I fell for the entire thing.” She then described the duty she felt to assist households dealing with hard scenarios.“I’m so grateful for the platform I have actually been offered. I’m healthy and believe it’s incredibly crucial to return to those kids and households going through things that individuals can’t even picture,” Cunningham stated in the interview.

Her assistance later on took a useful type. According to Heartitude, Cunningham welcomed households remaining at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona to Phoenix Mercury home video games. At the time, she bet Phoenix. She signed up with the Indiana Fever in 2025.Charity personnel picked the households, who got tickets, group product and chances to take pictures with Cunningham. The Avitia household from Kingman, Arizona, participated in a Mercury video game versus the Las Vegas Aces while their kid fought cancer.

The household explained the experience as extraordinary, according to the report.The Leonards from Indian Wells and the Beagleys from Safford likewise participated in video games through the effort. These getaways provided households a possibility to delight in basketball together outside their normal medical regimens.

Why Sophie Cunningham continues to support Ronald McDonald House

Cunningham’s participation likewise consists of fundraising. In the exact same Front Doors Media interview, she stated, “My sis, household and I place on a video game every year and contribute to the Ronald McDonald House.”She likewise motivated fans to contribute through a devoted contribution page for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona. Reports did not reveal a particular contribution quantity from Cunningham or an overall raised through her video game invites.Cunningham’s group has actually considering that altered, however her earlier charity work stays part of her story. Her assistance provided households dealing with youth cancer and other severe diseases chances to produce favorable memories throughout hard durations. For moms and dads and kids handling the needs of treatment, a night cheering at a basketball video game can not eliminate those obstacles, however it can provide a welcome possibility to take pleasure in time together.