Vanessa Hudgens teams with cancer charity to honour late father

Vanessa Hudgens is partnering with a cancer charity to help honour her late father.

The Princess Switch star's dad Greg Hudgens died at the age of 65 in January 2016 after a battle with cancer.

Now, three years on, Vanessa has announced that she is teaming up with the American Cancer Society to fight the disease.

"Cancer has taken the lives of so many people I love. It ate away at my father's body for years before he was diagnosed and when he was, it was too late. The same thing happened to my partner's mother," she said in a statement, referring to the death of her boyfriend Austin Butler's mum Lori Butler in September 2014. "It was a traumatising time and I'm still dealing with the pain of the loss. I hate cancer and the pain it brings to everyone surrounded by it."

In her new role as the American Cancer Society's global ambassador, Vanessa is giving one lucky person who donates to the cause the chance to sit next to her at the Super Bowl LIII football game in Atlanta, Georgia on 3 February (19).

"I am so proud and excited to help the American Cancer Society do everything possible to fight back against this awful disease," the former High School Musical star added.

Vanessa, 30, later took to social media to plead with her fans and followers to enter the charity's draw.

"Win an exclusive chance for you and a friend to sit with ME at Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta! Pre-sideline passes, meet the half-time headliner, access to the hottest #VIP parties, air travel, hotel and more, all included. This is a trip of a lifetime. All you have to do is click the link in bio and donate $10 to @AmericanCancerSociety to enter to Win! #CrucialCatch #NFL #SBLIII," she wrote on Instagram.