Skaters of every skill level will lace up at City National Arena this weekend for Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer, a two-day fundraiser pairing Olympic figure skating royalty with Las Vegas's professional hockey scene, all in support of pediatric cancer patients across Southern Nevada. The event kicks off Saturday with the Frozen 5K and wraps up Sunday with a celebration ice show hosted by 1984 Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton.
Thirty percent of proceeds stays locally with Cure 4 The Kids, while funds also support CARES National Cancer Research Grants, according to the Vegas Golden Knights. Cure 4 The Kids treats Southern Nevada pediatric cancer patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and the organization directs an average of 95 cents of every dollar straight into patient care programs, per the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. Carolyn Mortenson, senior director of skating programs, previewed the fundraiser with KLAS 8 News Now ahead of the weekend's events.
Frozen 5K Puts Skaters Through 35 Laps for a Cause
The Frozen 5K starts Saturday, requiring pre-registered participants to complete 35 laps around the City National Arena ice rink — the on-ice equivalent of a 3.1-mile run — in honor of loved ones affected by cancer, according to KLAS. Skaters can choose between a 4 p.m. or 4:50 p.m. start time, with both recreational and competitive, chip-timed options available for all experience levels, the station reports.
The event draws heavily on Las Vegas's professional sports infrastructure. The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation has backed Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer for several consecutive years, funneling proceeds from its 51/49 game-day raffle toward the cause; past Las Vegas weekend events have raised more than $47,000 for cancer research, and the foundation donated $30,000 during last October's event at City National Arena, according to the Vegas Golden Knights.
PWHL Las Vegas Brings Olympic Talent to Youth Clinic
New to this year's lineup is PWHL Las Vegas, the city's expansion franchise in the Professional Women's Hockey League. The top 25 hockey fundraisers earn a spot in an exclusive skills clinic led by head coach Kim Weis, general manager Dominique DiDia, and 2026 Olympic champion Hayley Scamurra, per the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. Scamurra won gold with Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics after previously taking silver in 2022 and claiming three IIHF World Championships, according to a report from the International Skating Union, before signing on as one of the franchise's flagship player additions ahead of its inaugural season.
Scott Hamilton Hosts Ice Show With Olympic Guest Star
Sunday's celebration ice show begins at 5 p.m. at City National Arena, hosted by Hamilton himself, who survived cancer. The Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation funds advanced cancer research. CARES stands for Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship.
Guest star Andrew Torgashev will headline the show after making his Olympic debut for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
Also on hand will be Oksana Baiul, the 1994 Olympic women's figure skating champion, who now works as a skating instructor and lives in Las Vegas, per KLAS. She works with students at City National Arena, the same rink hosting this weekend's fundraiser.
A National Campaign With Local Roots
Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer was created by the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, travels to different arenas and invites individual fundraising, per the foundation. In Las Vegas, that national framework has taken on a distinctly local flavor, with the city's NHL and PWHL franchises stepping up to support Cure 4 The Kids Foundation's mission of ensuring no child with cancer or a rare blood disorder is turned away due to financial constraints or lack of insurance, according to Cure 4 The Kids Foundation. More details on registration and event times are available at fundraise.scottcares.org, KLAS reports.
