The V Foundation funds brilliant scientists with bold, outside the box ideas to change the game against cancer and save lives. We are willing to back innovative ideas that others won’t fund with the belief that these ideas could lead to transformative breakthroughs for patients.
The V Foundation has made a tremendous impact in cancer research. We’ve awarded over $520 million across nearly 1,500 cancer research grants since our inception in 1993. These researchers have gone on to receive nearly $25 billion in additional cancer research support, and be connected to over 1,100 clinical trials.
We need your help: cancer continues to be the second-leading cause of death in the United States. But today’s scientific question can become tomorrow’s treatment. And tomorrow’s treatment can change a patients life.
Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPY Speech
About V Week
The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary NC State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. ESPN’s V Week utilizes the worldwide leader in sports’ premier platforms to raise awareness and critical funds among sports fans about the importance of cancer research.
The 20th Annual V Week begins on Giving Tuesday, December 1 and runs through Sunday, December 13. Team up with us and double your impact as we come together with one goal – achieve Victory Over Cancer.
Jimmy V Classic
This year’s Jimmy V Classic will feature a handful of the best programs across men’s and women’s college basketball. Named for legendary college men’s basketball coach and former ESPN commentator Jim Valvano, the event annually raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded by Valvano and ESPN in 1993 to fund game-changing cancer research and scientists to eradicate the disease.
The men’s classic began in 1995, and the women’s event debuted in 2002. Both events are part of ESPN’s V Week, which utilizes platforms to provide messaging to sports fans about the importance of cancer research.
Key V Week Programming Events
Tuesday, December 1
Giving Tuesday
Wednesday, December 2
Roadblock of Jim’s Speech – 7 p.m. across all ESPN Platforms
Tuesday, December 8
Men’s Jimmy V Classic – Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Houston Cougars (6:30 p.m. ET) and Georgia Bulldogs vs. Duke Blue Devils (9 p.m. ET)
Wednesday, December 9
Women’s Jimmy V Classic – UConn vs. Notre Dame (TBD)
BOO-YAH!
V Foundation for Cancer Research Boo-Yah is a unique event where inspiring stories, sports, and a shared commitment to addressing racial disparities in cancer outcomes, bring our community together by funding grants through the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund. Guests enjoy a vintner reception of the best wines from Northern California, cheer on teams at the Jimmy V Classic, hear directly from V Foundation-funded researchers about the latest advancements in cancer research and unite with a passionate community at the stunning Gala & Auction to raise funds for the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund
The V Foundation and ESPN established the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund in memory of beloved ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott after he passed away in 2015. Stuart was a champion for cancer research and was especially driven to improve outcomes for African Americans and underserved communities disproportionately affected by the disease.
