Two signed, game-worn jerseys donated by Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce sold for $250,000 at a charity auction in Missouri. The sale helped raise millions of pounds for childhood cancer treatment. The NFL memorabilia package was one of the top items at the 15th annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend in Kansas City. The two-day fundraising event brought together Hollywood actors, professional athletes, and thousands of supporters to raise money for the Cancer Center at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Organisers confirmed at the end of the event that the weekend raised a record $3.97 million (£3.1 million) for childhood cancer research and patient care.
Star power drives record bidding
The charity package included authentic game-worn jerseys signed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce after their victory in Super Bowl LVIII. During the live auction at the T-Mobile Center, bidding quickly climbed past $100,000. The final winning bid reached $250,000 after Mahomes, Kelce, and celebrity hosts appeared on stage and encouraged the crowd to support the cause. The auction also offered special experiences alongside physical items. Other expensive lots included chances to appear in television productions, private meals with celebrity hosts, and VIP passes to major sporting events. According to event coverage published by the Kansas City Star, the annual charity weekend raised its highest total in a single year since it began. The $3.97 million total beat the previous record of $3.5 million, set in 2023.
Hometown celebrities rally for local hospital
The Big Slick event began in 2010 as a poker tournament organised by five actors who grew up in the Kansas City area. The original co-hosts were Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, Eric Stonestreet, and David Koechner. Actor Heidi Gardner, who grew up in Kansas City and was formerly a cast member on Saturday Night Live, officially joined the group as a main co-host in 2023. Over the past decade, the organisers have turned the event from a small poker night into a large weekend gathering. The programme now includes a celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium, a bowling tournament, and a live entertainment show at the T-Mobile Center. Speaking to supporters during the event, co-host Rob Riggle reflected on how much the fundraiser had grown over its 15 years. “When we started this 15 years ago, we just wanted to raise a little money and bring some attention to the hospital,” Riggle said during media appearances covered by local news outlets. “We never imagined it would grow into something this big.”
Supporting pediatric oncology research
All money raised during the weekend goes directly to the Cancer Center at Children’s Mercy Kansas City, one of the leading children’s medical networks in the American Midwest. In an official public statement posted on LinkedIn after the event, representatives from Children’s Mercy Hospital explained how important the annual donations are. The funds help pay for clinical trials, advanced diagnostic equipment, and support for families facing long treatment periods. “Big Slick is about our patients,” the hospital stated in its online update. “Every dollar raised stays right here in Kansas City to support the kids and families fighting cancer at Children’s Mercy.” The hospital also noted that private donations from Big Slick help medical teams hire specialist doctors who treat childhood cancer. The money also helps expand access to experimental targeted treatments that traditional health insurance may not fully cover. Including the 2024 total, the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend has raised more than $21 million for Children’s Mercy Hospital since the event began in 2010.
