The Siege Community Raises More Than $1 Million for Global Causes, Including $300,000 this year for Breast Cancer Research Through Sixth Guardian
When we first launched Sixth Guardian, we didn't know how far it would go, only that it mattered. What began as a small community project has grown into something much bigger: a global fundraising effort that's raised over $1 million for different causes around the world.
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're proud to share that since March 2024, the Sixth Guardian charity program has raised $300,000 in support of breast cancer research through our partnership with Worldwide Cancer Research, marking the largest fundraising campaign the Siege community has ever delivered.
It's time to reflect on what we've achieved together and more importantly, the real-world impact your support is making.
MISSION RECAP: WHAT IS SIXTH GUARDIAN?
Since 2020, Sixth Guardian has been Siege's way of turning our community passion into global impact, fundraising and partnering with organizations around the world to support causes that matter to our players: from mental health and environmental action to equity and accessibility.
In March 2024, we launched the Azami Sixth Guardian Hope, a new chapter in partnership with Worldwide Cancer Research, focused on funding innovative breast cancer research.
SUPPORTING BREAST CANCER RESEARCH | WORLDWIDE CANCER RESEARCH
This most recent campaign support two high-risk, high-reward projects designed to tackle some of the toughest challenges in breast cancer treatment.
1. Nanoparticle 'Smart Bombs' to Target Metastatic Tumors
Researcher: Prof. Roberta Tasso, University of Genoa, Italy
Read more →
Metastatic breast cancer, when the disease spreads to other parts of the body, remains the leading cause of breast cancer deaths. Treating it is notoriously difficult, as conventional drugs often fail to reach these distant tumor sites effectively.
Prof. Tasso's research focuses on engineering natural extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny particles that occur naturally in the body to act as "smart bombs" for delivering chemotherapy drugs directly to tumors. These EVs could offer a stealthy, targeted way to treat cancer, reducing collateral damage to healthy cells and overcoming drug resistance.
It's early-stage science, but it holds serious potential to transform how metastatic cancers are treated in the future.
2. Making targeted treatments work for more patients
Researcher: Prof. Pieter Eichhorn, Edith Cowan University, Australia
Read more →
Some breast cancer patients benefit from a targeted therapy that inhibits a molecule called PI3K, which helps cancer cells grow. However, for many patients, these treatments simply don't work and researchers still don't fully understand why.
Prof. Eichhorn's project investigates why some cancer cells don't respond to this treatment, using realistic "mini tumours" grown in the lab from patient cells. The goal is to identify ways to make these drugs more effective for more people, potentially opening up targeted treatment options for patients who currently have none.
Why This Matters
These projects tackle areas of breast cancer research that often go underfunded due to their complexity and uncertainty. But these are exactly the kinds of risks that drive real breakthroughs.
By backing Worldwide Cancer Research through Sixth Guardian Hope, the Siege community helped launch projects that could reshape how breast cancer is treated especially for patients with advanced, resistant, or hard-to-treat forms of the disease.
In real terms, this means
- Developing smarter ways to deliver chemo directly to tumors
- Understanding and overcoming drug resistance
- Expanding access to effective targeted therapies
- Fueling the early science that leads to future clinical breakthroughs
The two research projects funded through Sixth Guardian Hope will unfold over the next 12-24 months. Make sure to follow Worldwide Cancer Research to follow up on the progress made.
A NEW MILESTONE FOR SIXTH GUARDIAN
Sixth Guardian has now raised more than $1 million since its creation in 2020, a testament to what this community is capable of both in-game and out in the real world.
Here's what you've helped support so far.
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2020 (Y5S4) - AbleGamers: Combatting social isolation and improving quality of life for players with disabilities.
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2021 (Y6S2) - Stack Up: Supporting active and veteran service members through gaming and mental health programs.
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2021 (Y6S3) - Indspire: Empowering Indigenous students across Canada to graduate and thrive.
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2022 (Y7S2) - ILGA: Defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people in more than 160 countries.
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2022 (Y7S4) - Ecologi: Tackling the climate crisis through global reforestation and carbon reduction projects.
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2023-2024 (Y8S3) and 2025 (Y10S1) - Worldwide Cancer Research: Funding game-changing research that could lead to future cancer cures.
Time and again, you've answered the Sixth Guardian call. Whether you contributed directly or simply helped spread the word, you were part of something that made a difference. This won't be the last opportunity to make an impact, but for now, we wanted to take a moment to recognize your achievement.
The Siege community doesn't just breach walls, we break barriers.
We're proud to stand with you.
Thank you.
