Trey Mancini #F16HT T-shirt sales net $80,000 for the Alliance

Baltimore’s major league baseball team, the Orioles, announced this month that sales of their #F16HT T-shirts in support of player Trey Mancini’s battle against colon cancer will benefit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to the tune of $80,000.

“I’ve gotten to know a lot of amazing people that work at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and who have had colon cancer as well, and they’ve all helped me tremendously throughout my process,” Trey said during a conference call with journalists. “Being able to give back to them is really important to me and something I will continue to do in the future.”

Trey announced his partnership with the Alliance in June and currently serves on our Never Too Young Advisory Board, which advocates for young-onset colorectal cancer patients and survivors. Trey, 28, was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in March and completed his scheduled chemotherapy treatments in September.

Colorectal cancer has become a reality for many people younger than age 50. Alarmingly, the incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer has increased by 2% every year since 1990. Our 2020 Never Too Young Survey Report details the latest developments and impacts of this disease on young people. 

Nearly 5,000 shirts were sold to fans across North America, with orders spanning 45 states, Washington D.C., and Canada. The Alliance will use the funds raised by the sale of the tees to fund our patient and family support programs. 

"On behalf of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and our nation of allies who are in the F16HT each and every day to end this disease in our lifetime, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Orioles organization for this donation and for their ongoing partnership to raise awareness," said Michael Sapienza, CEO of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. 

"It is unfortunate that cancer brought us together, but we are beyond grateful to Trey for sharing his story to help others get screened and highlighting the importance of being your own advocate if you suspect something is wrong,” Sapienza added. “Thank you Trey for helping amplify the importance of this disease that is impacting too many young individuals."

On the conference call, Trey noted that he is feeling well and getting ready for spring training.

“I’m feeling great, totally like myself,” he said.

Learn more: Check out this interview with Trey Mancini, Alliance CEO Michael Sapienza, and NBC News’ Craig Melvin on YouTube.