In 1992, in the first organized effort to raise money for AIDS research by means of a sporting event, $1/2 million was raised by participants in which sport?

In April 1992, legendary athlete and activist Arthur Ashe publicly announced that he had contracted HIV from a blood transfusion. Rather than withdraw, he channeled his energy into fighting the disease and raising public awareness. Ashe, a revered figure in the world of tennis, leveraged his connections and status within the sport to create a groundbreaking fundraising event just a few months after his announcement.

The event was the first Arthur Ashe AIDS Tennis Challenge, held in August 1992 on the eve of the U.S. Open. Top players and celebrities came together for the pro-am tournament, which became the first organized, large-scale effort to raise money for AIDS research through a sporting event. The inaugural challenge was a resounding success, raising over half a million dollars for the cause.

This pioneering event laid the groundwork for Ashe's larger mission. Shortly thereafter, he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation (Review) for the Defeat of AIDS to provide funding for research and promote education. Though he passed away the following year, his legacy continues through the foundation and the annual fundraising efforts that began with that historic day on the tennis court.