COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 24, 2025) – Compassion International, a Christian child development organization, is proud to announce that its innovative campaign, “The Fight for First,” has reached its goal of raising $7.5 million to fund 500 Survival Centers worldwide that will provide critical support to 25,000 mothers and their babies.
Compassion Survival Centers provide lifesaving medical care, nutritious food, spiritual guidance, support and more to mothers and their babies.
“The Fight for First” is spearheaded by professional athletes and their families, including former baseball star Chris Davis, ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes Jaccob Slavin, and Atlanta Falcons punter Bradley Pinion.
“We can take for granted how easily accessible healthcare is in America. For millions of mothers and babies living in poverty around the world, healthcare is a necessity that remains just out of reach — often with devastating consequences,” said Davis.
Tragically, millions of children in poverty around the world die within their first year of life due to a lack of resources, delivery complications, malnutrition, and disease. Many of these situations could be prevented with access to healthcare, nutritious food and clean water, and support for mother and baby.
“It has been such an honor to work with Compassion on this project, and we are so excited to see how these Survival Centers impact the lives of the women and babies who will now receive lifesaving care,” said Pinion.
“Athletes know how important firsts are,” adds Slavin. “You fight for your first NHL game, your first NHL goal, your first Stanley Cup. So do moms. They fight for their baby’s first smile, first steps and first birthday. We’re in a great position to help fight for those firsts.”
“Motherhood has enough responsibilities without worrying about receiving basic healthcare,” adds Kaeleigh Pinion. “Mothers around the world want their babies to thrive. That’s why we are proud to come alongside Compassion as they work to support these women, their children and their future.”
Compassion is proud to celebrate this milestone and is thankful for every athlete and their families who supported this initiative. Watch the celebration video here.
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Compassion International is a Christian child development organization working to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. Founded in 1952, Compassion partners with more than 8,500 local churches in 29 program countries to deliver spiritual, economic, social, and physical care to over two million babies, children, and young adults in poverty. Ranked No. 12 in Forbes' America's Top Charities List in 2024, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about Compassion’s child development through a sponsorship program, visit compassion.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).