This year’s installment of ESPN’s annual ESPY Awards earned 1.1 million viewers in the adults 18-49 rating, and the cable network also raised $6.5 million for cancer research as part of its new fundraising initiative. 

The $6.5 million, which was raised during the company’s inaugural ESPY Day benefit, will be donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. ESPN has partnered with the V Foundation for 21 years, with ESPY-related fundraising amassing more than $23.5 million towards cancer research. 

Funds were raised via a $4 million investment from Stand Up To Cancer, an auction hosted by eBay and viewer donations reached through a multi-platform initiative. 

“I want to thank our fans, employees, sponsors and supporters for making the very first ESPY Day a great success. The astounding level of support for this initiative is a testament to our collective determination to find a cure for this terrible disease,” said John Skipper, president, ESPN, in a statement.