Tags: News|Press Release

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, through the Richard Jones Fund and the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, and in collaboration with the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina, announces awarding of two lung cancer grants. The grants, each $200,000, will support research by Edward Kim, M.D., FACP, and David Foureau, Ph.D., at Levine Cancer Institute, and Qingyi Wei, M.D., Ph.D., at Duke Cancer Institute.

Mary Ella Jones established the Richard Jones Fund in 2012 with a $50,000 pledge to the V Foundation after the passing of her husband Richard Foster Jones, a 10-year lung cancer survivor. Friends and family have donated to the Richard Jones Fund, raising thousands more.

“My family and I are delighted that funds from my husband’s memorial gifts are partnering with the Stuart Scott Memorial and the Lung Cancer Initiative to award these two grants,” said Jones. “It represents another step forward in Jim Valvano’s appeal: “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® We’ll follow the progress of the research by Dr. Foureau and Dr. Kim with great interest.”

The Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund was established in 2015 after the passing of ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott to support minority scholars and research dedicated to ending the disparities among African Americans in cancer incidences and death rates. In addition, the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina, in partnership with the V Foundation, is providing grants to research disparities among African Americans, with a focus on lung cancer patients in North Carolina.

Lung cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality in the general population worldwide. African Americans have the highest incidence and rate of lung cancer-related deaths and develop the disease at an earlier age compared to other racial groups.

“We are honored to have been awarded this prestigious grant. Through our research, we hope to identify novel blood markers, which may help clinicians better evaluate and treat those patients with lung cancer receiving immunotherapy,” said Kim. “Fighting cancer is a team sport, and our team at Levine Cancer Institute will continue striving for better treatments for patients, including underserved populations such as our African-American patients. Each patient is unique, and personalizing treatment through precision medicine is the goal.”

Among the highest-rated nonprofits by Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities, the V Foundation strives for victory over cancer with a strict adherence to sound fiscal management and transparency. The V Foundation holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is among the top 4% of cancer charities of all charities evaluated; and the Foundation is a GuideStar platinum-rated charity.

To donate to the Richard Jones Memorial Fund, please contact Becky Bumgardner at the V Foundation at 919-380-9505.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, is pleased to observe Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month this September. Since its inception, the V Foundation has awarded more than $25 million in pediatric cancer research grants. With just four percent of federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer, the V Foundation is eager to make a significant impact in finding cures for the leading cause of death by disease in American children.

The V Foundation’s increased commitment to pediatric cancer research is championed by the efforts of its longtime Board Member and ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Dick Vitale. Earlier this year, the 12th Annual Dick Vitale Gala raised a record-breaking $3.12 million for pediatric cancer research.

“Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month is vital for many of our young children battling the dreaded disease of cancer,” said Vitale. “We all must unite to provide dollars to fund research grants for various types of cancer afflicting children. I fully support this worthy initiative, which is very dear to my heart.”

The V Foundation has also teamed up with WWE and is in the second year of a multi-year partnership with Connor’s Cure. Founded by WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon and WWE Executive Vice President Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Connor’s Cure was established in honor of an 8-year-old WWE fan, Connor Michalek, who battled medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. Connor’s Cure has raised more than $2 million to support pediatric cancer research at institutions nationwide. In addition, funding will continue to support the research taking place at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.

“WWE is proud to continue our partnership with the V Foundation in support of Connor’s Cure around Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month,” said McMahon. “Raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for pediatric cancer is imperative, and we are honored to once again join the V Foundation and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to fight this terrible disease.”

As a new supporter for the V Foundation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company provided a $2.5 million grant that will be used for the advancement of pediatric immuno-oncology research.

“At Bristol-Myers Squibb, we are inspired by the hope of a future in which every person, young or old, who is diagnosed with cancer can live a longer, healthier life,” said Teresa Bitetti, Senior Vice President, U.S. Oncology, Bristol-Myers Squibb. “Current treatments do not address all childhood cancers, and for those that do, treatments may be associated with challenges, such as secondary malignancies, later in life. We are focused on tackling childhood cancers from every angle, including through our own research, partnerships with other institutions and supporting incredible organizations like the V Foundation to help address these needs.”

In addition to support from Connor’s Cure and Bristol-Myers Squibb, in 2016, the V Foundation established the John Saunders Grant for Pediatric Cancer Research to commemorate the many years the founding member of the V Foundation Board of Directors spent working to end cancer and his passion for pediatric initiatives.

While some childhood cancer survival rates have dramatically improved, others remain very low. For example, per the National Cancer Institute, the average survival for children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is less than one year from diagnosis. In the U.S. alone, 12,000-15,000 children are newly diagnosed with cancer each year, and pediatric cancer research remains significantly underfunded. Nearly 2,000 die of cancer each year in the U.S., inspiring the V Foundation and its partners in their work to end the dreaded disease.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, announces fundraising initiatives beginning this month. Coinciding with college basketball’s championship season, ESPN, Constellation Brands Beer Division, Constellation Wines and Apple Gold Group will celebrate the late Jim Valvano’s “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® spirit by offering numerous ways for supporters dedicated to declaring victory over cancer to get involved. Contributions from these partnerships will strategically fund emerging, high-impact research opportunities to make the greatest advances in the shortest amount of time as part of the V Foundation’s Not a Moment to Lose $200 million capital campaign.

“The V Foundation is more passionate than ever about the course set by Jim and ESPN 24 years ago,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “We are driven to put an end to cancer through cutting-edge research.”

As one of 14 icons to be honored in this year’s class of Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Legends, Valvano continues to inspire nearly 25 years after his iconic ESPY Awards speech when the V Foundation for Cancer Research was first announced. Valvano’s legacy has affected, and will continue to affect, millions of people around the world as the V Foundation transforms the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer by accelerating the pace of scientific progress. Remembering Valvano through philanthropy, the V Foundation has an all-star group of partners eager to support its cause this spring.

This year, the V Foundation will be featured within ESPN’s Tournament Challenge mobile application and web game during the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. When fans log in to fill out their brackets and throughout the tournament, they will have the ability to donate to the V Foundation and enter for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the 2017 Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York, which will pit UConn against Syracuse and Gonzaga against Villanova in a blueblood doubleheader on December 5. The prize package includes two tickets, airfare, accommodations, a signed basketball from all four coaches and a $400 gift card. To enter the sweepstakes, please visit www.v.org/win. No donation is necessary to win.

Constellation Brands Beer Division’s promotion, “You Love the Game … Now Join the Fight,” marks the seventh year of fundraising for the V Foundation. From March 1 to April 3, Constellation Brands Beer Division will make a donation to the V Foundation for each purchased case of Corona Extra or Corona Light. Last year’s efforts raised more than $1.26 million for cancer research. The wine division of Constellation, Constellation Wines, will also include signage promoting its support of the V Foundation on its top-selling Woodbridge wines throughout March. Last year, Constellation Wines donated $40,000 to fund cutting-edge research.

Additionally, from March 7 to April 3, guests at 52 Apple Gold Group-owned Applebee’s restaurants across North Carolina will be invited to participate in the 11th annual March Hoops Fundraiser. For each $1 donation, fans will receive a paper basketball to decorate in spirit of their favorite team participating in the national championship. Since 2006, Apple Gold Group has raised more than $1.3 million for the V Foundation through the March Hoops Fundraiser and other initiatives.

The V Foundation recently announced its Not a Moment to Lose fundraising campaign with a goal to raise $200 million by 2020 and further the momentum behind today’s extraordinary research. Through its partners, like ESPN, Constellation Brands, Apple Gold Group and many others, as well as its generous donors that help bring Valvano’s mission to life, the V Foundation has already raised nearly $120 million towards that goal.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, is pleased to formally announce its V University initiative and the Eastern College Athletic Conference as its first partner.  V University is a virtual campus that offers collegiate athletic conferences, departments, teams and student-athletes an opportunity to raise funds for cutting-edge cancer research.  V University was formed to help spread the late Coach Jim Valvano’s message of perseverance—“Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”®—shared during his inspirational speech at the inaugural ESPY Awards in 1993, pre-dating most of today’s collegiate student-athletes.  V University is committed to providing its partners and supporters with the recognition they deserve through its “V University Spotlight” section of the webpage.  As the V Foundation pushes to achieve victory over cancer, the ECAC and other V University partners will help fund V Scholar grants designed to identify, retain and further the careers of “rising star” scientists establishing their research.

“The partnership between the ECAC and V University is an exciting opportunity for all ECAC member institutions,” said Jay Moran, ECAC Chairman of the Board and Director of Athletics at Southern Connecticut State University.  “It will enable student-athletes to continue their philanthropic efforts and encourage others to join the mission of the V Foundation.  Our student-athletes are giving back to their campus and local communities in so many great ways, and this partnership creates another avenue for them to shine outside the athletic arena while helping others!”

The largest and only multi-divisional conference in the nation, the ECAC’s enthusiasm for V University reinforces its goal of promoting the development of its member institutions as well as student-athletes’ leadership and excellence.  The ECAC will celebrate the partnership’s launch when Fairfield University’s men’s basketball team hosts Monmouth University at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn., on February 21.  Messaging and signage during the ECAC/V University Tipoff game will encourage fans to get involved and visit the ECAC’s V University website.  Through the conference-wide partnership, the ECAC will emphasize Valvano’s “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® mantra on and off the field of play to its member institutions’ 110,000-plus student-athletes across more than 30 men’s and women’s varsity sports.

“We are thrilled to partner with V University through the V Foundation for Cancer Research to aid in their mission to achieve victory over cancer,” said ECAC President and CEO Dan Coonan.  “The V Foundation has done a wonderful job raising funds for cancer research and the ECAC is proud to be a part of such an important initiative.”

Through a competitive awards process vetted by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Committee, the V Foundation proudly awards 100% of direct donations to cancer research and related programs, including those funds raised by the ECAC and other V University partners.  V University donations will help fund V Scholar grants, providing the most promising researchers a competitive edge necessary to earn additional funding throughout their careers.  By focusing on brilliant young investigators, the V Foundation has leveraged more than $1 billion in additional funding for researchers to date.  V University funds will contribute to the V Foundation’s recently announced $200 million capital campaign, Not a Moment to Lose, which aims to build on the momentum of today’s research findings and focus on emerging, high-impact research opportunities.

“The V Foundation has deep roots in collegiate athletics, since our founding by college basketball coach Jim Valvano and ESPN,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation.  “We recognize the great spirit and generosity of student-athletes and college students overall and know that Jim’s message, “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® resonates well with them.  We look forward to a lot of fun and a great contribution to cancer research.”

The V University online fundraising platform includes a digital toolkit with all the materials needed for student-athletes, their sports or club teams and athletic departments to create their own fundraising events. Whether forming a golf or basketball tournament, organizing a team activity or driving fans to donate during games, the goal is to make fundraising easy, fun and rewarding.

For more information about V University, please visit www.jimmyv.org/vuniversity.  To contribute to the ECAC’s efforts, please visit www.jimmyv.org/ECAC and follow the #VUniversity conversation on Twitter.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, and ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Dick Vitale are proud to announce the 12^th Annual Dick Vitale Gala will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017, at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota in Florida.  Through Vitale’s relentless fight to achieve victory over pediatric cancer, the Gala has raised more than $18 million to date.  This year’s event will honor ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Chris Berman, West Virginia University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins and University of Notre Dame Head Football Coach Brian Kelly.  Throughout the evening, the late John Saunders, a founding member of the V Foundation’s Board of Directors and 10-time emcee of the Dick Vitale Gala, will also be remembered and celebrated as an avid supporter of cancer research.

“I am so proud to be associated with all the passionate people of the V Foundation who do so much to raise dollars to battle this vicious disease.  My team works 24/7 to make this event the best celebration in our area,” Vitale said. “We will pay tribute to my late buddy, John Saunders, and I am so grateful to our celebrity honorees, Brian Kelly, Chris Berman and Bob Huggins, for assisting us in pursuing my goal of raising $3 million this year to help kids battling cancer.”

Recruiting some of the biggest names in sports to his Gala each year, Vitale continues to build the support and momentum needed to defeat pediatric cancer.  With just four percent of federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer, Vitale and the V Foundation are eager to make a significant impact in finding cures for the leading cause of death by disease in American children.

Vitale and the V Foundation anticipate more than 800 attendees this year and are excited to honor three great sports figures.  Berman, a six-time National Sportscaster of the Year winner, has hosted ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown for 31 seasons and been a part of SportsCenter for more than 38 years, while also remaining a longtime supporter of cancer research and the V Foundation.  Huggins recently won his 800th college basketball game as a head coach, just the 10th NCAA Division I coach to do so. Huggins previously established an endowment fund at the WVU Cancer Institute in honor of his mother who passed away from breast cancer.  Kelly, an Associated Press and Walter Camp National Coach of the Year award winner, has led Notre Dame’s football program to over 40 victories in his seven years as head coach, including a National Championship game appearance. In 2007, Kelly, along with his wife Paqui, who is a two-time cancer survivor, founded the Kelly Cares Foundation.  Each honoree will speak at the Gala.

“Children who have cancer need our help! Dick and Lorraine Vitale and their wonderful team step up each day and answer that call,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “Their work provides hope and much-needed funding for pediatric cancer research, and it is the advancements offered through research that save lives.  There are no better champions for our kids!”

Established in loving memory of one of the V Foundation’s most steadfast supporters and ESPN’s most visible and versatile commentators, the John Saunders Grant for Pediatric Cancer Research will be a focus of the evening.  As colleagues at ESPN, Vitale and Saunders became close with Jim Valvano and have helped sustain the legendary NC State University basketball coach’s legacy by supporting the V Foundation.  The V Foundation and Vitale will honor their friend and continue to carry his passion for years to come.

The Dick Vitale Gala is a V Foundation signature event and part of the Foundation’s Not a Moment to Lose fundraising campaign.  First announced by V Foundation Board Member Robin Roberts during a Monday Night Football game in December, the campaign aims to raise $200 million by 2020 and strategically focus on emerging, high-impact research opportunities.  In addition to pediatric cancer research, areas of scientific research to be funded include the study of prevention signals, clinical trials, immunotherapy pathways, big data collaborations, convergence projects and translational research.

For more information about the 12th Annual Dick Vitale Gala or to purchase tickets, please visit www.jimmyv.org/vitale.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-ranked cancer research charity, is excited to announce details regarding the 10th annual Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research, to be held from November 30 to December 9 across ESPN platforms, with additional programming and highlights continuing throughout the month. In sharing survivors’ stories and breakthroughs in cancer research advancements, the fundraising drive will encourage supporters to donate to the V Foundation. Donors may choose to further accelerate research of all types of cancer or to donate directly to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.  In celebration of its most successful grant-making year to date, the V Foundation will highlight many of its longtime partners throughout Jimmy V Week, including founding partner ESPN.

“As we approach this milestone 10th annual Jimmy V Week, we can simultaneously reflect on the great progress that has been made over the past decade and the important work still to be done,” said John Skipper, ESPN President. “Like so many families, we at ESPN have had too many recent reminders of cancer’s devastating effects, yet we have also been encouraged by how meaningful the advancements in research have been in helping treat this dreadful disease. During V Week, we are able to share great stories of hope and inspiration across our entities, while showcasing the tireless work of the V Foundation and its ongoing impact in this critical fight.”

V Week launches at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 30, when ESPN will dedicate all of its platforms to share inspirational messages from the late Jim Valvano and others, and the week will also include the 10th annual Jimmy V Week marquee matchups in the Jimmy V Men’s and Women’s Basketball Classics.  This special week will culminate on December 9, highlighted by an NBA doubleheader as well as several NCAA Championship events from FCS Football, Women’s Volleyball and the Men’s College Cup soccer semifinals.  The college basketball men’s doubleheader, returning to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the 22nd year on December 6, will feature an exciting opening game between Purdue and Arizona State, followed by a primetime showdown between Florida and Duke.  Connecticut will take on Texas in the women’s event, which will be played on December 4, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

“V Week is aptly held in the most celebratory time of the year,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation.  “We celebrate our amazing partners, donors, volunteers and friends, as we reach out to the public to help us reach our goal to declare victory over cancer. Progress is fueling our hope, and funding research is our path to victory.”

Last week, the V Foundation announced it awarded more than $23 million in grants in 2016, its largest financial contribution to cancer research in a single year.  During the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic doubleheader, the V Foundation will recognize some of the many partners that have supported their record-breaking year and drive toward victory over cancer.  Supporters to be recognized include:

• Constellation Brands Beer Division, a sponsor of the 2016 Jimmy V Classic, will present a $100,000 check to the V Foundation. This check is in addition to the over $1,250,000 raised as part of their annual “Your Corona Gets Us Closer to a Cure” initiative, raising funds in partnership with their distributor network.

• ESPN will present the V Foundation with a $100,000 donation in loving remembrance of John Saunders. One of ESPN’s most visible and versatile commentators, Saunders was a founding board member of the V Foundation and friend of the late Jim Valvano.  The donation will be awarded to pediatric cancer research, a cause Saunders was passionate about as a 10-year emcee of the annual Dick Vitale Gala.

• The Goldberg Family, BRCA Foundation and Basser Initiative at the Gray Foundation will make a multi-million dollar challenge to be matched by the V Foundation in 2017. The commitment will fund further study of the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2.

• Hooters will celebrate another successful “Give a Hoot” month-long fundraising campaign during October in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Hooters will present the V Foundation with a check for more than $500,000.

• Team V, the V Foundation’s official endurance training and fundraising team, in conjunction with New York Road Runners will recognize funds raised through the TCS New York City Marathon. This year, close to 60 Team V runners raised nearly $300,000 for cancer research, including ESPN College Basketball Analyst Andy Katz, who individually raised more than $20,000.

• The WWE, in partnership with the WWE’s Connor’s Cure initiative, will present a check to the V Foundation for $250,000, representing their 2016 fundraising support of pediatric cancer research.

• Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry agreed to become a multi-year sponsor of the V Foundation Wine Celebration earlier this year and will present a check for $125,000 to support cancer research.

With 100% of all direct cash donations benefiting cancer research, the V Foundation has now awarded more than $170 million in cancer research grants.  Among the highest-rated nonprofits by Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of charities, the V Foundation continues to expand its efforts in the fight against cancer with a strict adherence to sound fiscal management and transparency. The V Foundation has received five consecutive 4-star ratings by Charity Navigator and is among the top 4% of cancer charities and the top 6% of all charities evaluated.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-ranked cancer research charity, is thrilled to formally announce its Not a Moment to Lose fundraising campaign.  As the V Foundation’s boldest initiative to date, Not a Moment to Lose will rally supporters dedicated to declaring victory over cancer.  The campaign aims to raise $200 million by 2020 and strategically fund emerging, high-impact research opportunities to make the greatest advances in the shortest amount of time.

“This is not a fight any of us can win alone,” said Robin Roberts, V Foundation board member and Good Morning America co-host, who first announced the campaign during ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage last night.  “We need the strongest team possible to ensure victory.  Please be a part of the team that never gives up on the fight against cancer.”

Not a Moment to Lose will emphasize how research is transforming the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. Cancer affects 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the U.S.  Through participation and donations, supporters can ensure scientists are able to build on past investments, spur innovations and translate discoveries into better outcomes.  The V Foundation intends to further the momentum behind today’s extraordinary research, but we can only do so with the help of our supporters.

“The launch of this campaign is an exciting step in helping us achieve victory over cancer,” said George Bodenheimer, retired president and executive chairman of ESPN, Inc., as well as V Foundation board member and campaign chair of Not a Moment to Lose.  “The campaign is about more than raising money and driving science forward with a passion and a commitment to fund extraordinary research to ultimately save more lives.”

Through a competitive awards process vetted by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Committee, the V Foundation will continue to award 100% of direct donations to cancer research and related programs.  During the Not a Moment to Lose campaign, areas of scientific interest to be funded include the study of prevention signals, clinical trials, pediatric cancer research, immunotherapy pathways, big data collaborations, convergence projects and translational research.  The V Foundation will also expand its V Scholar Grant program, funding the best, most-talented young scientists as they launch their own laboratories and further their careers.

“Not a Moment to Lose is a bold campaign with an important goal – stopping cancer,” said Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University men’s basketball head coach and a founding board member of the V Foundation.  “It continues my friend Jim Valvano’s message of hope and perseverance.  I know he will be proud to see us achieve victory over cancer.”

The campaign launch coincides with ESPN’s 10th annual Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research, as well as the culmination of the V Foundation’s most successful year to date, having awarded more than $23 million in cancer research grants in 2016.  During tonight’s Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic, V Foundation partners will be recognized for their sustained efforts to help defeat cancer.  Included in these presentations will be the BRCA Foundation and Basser Initiative at the Gray Foundation as examples of new partners to be championed, highlighting a $3 million challenge to raise additional funds for BRCA Research Collaborative Grants.