Cary-based The V Foundation for Cancer Research and ESPN announce the eighth annual Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research, beginning Dec. 3 across all domestic ESPN platforms.
The initiative drives awareness of and donations to The V Foundation for Cancer Research via messaging, social activation and public service announcements.
Last year’s Jimmy V Week raised $1.8 million, bringing the seven-year total of contributions to more than $8.2 million.
“What an extraordinary way to celebrate the season of giving,” said Susan Braun, CEO of The V Foundation and a 2014 Cary Magazine Woman of Western Wake. “V Week shows the generosity of ESPN, college basketball, our partners and our donors. And in this celebration is the hope for everyone facing cancer.”
“Each year during Jimmy V Week, we pause to reflect on Jim Valvano’s enduring words and to collectively renew our resolve to fighting this terrible disease,” said John Skipper, president at ESPN. “I am so proud that ESPN has been a leader in this fight for more than 21 years for The V Foundation. Together, with the support of our viewers, we’ve touched countless lives over the past two decades by funding critically-important cancer research programs.”
Basketball Classics
Jimmy V Week includes a simulcast of former N.C. State University coach Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPYs speech throughout the week on ESPN.com, ESPN3 and jimmyv.org. The simulcast includes an introduction by cancer survivor, Good Morning America host and 2013 Arthur Ashe Courage Award Winner Robin Roberts.
Jimmy V Week concludes with the Jimmy V Women’s and Men’s Basketball Classics. For the women’s matchup, two-time defending national champion and No. 3-ranked Connecticut plays at No. 2 Notre Dame on Dec. 6 at 3:15 p.m., on ESPN.
The men’s event will showcase four top college basketball programs – Indiana, No. 6 Louisville, Illinois and No. 12 Villanova – in the 20th annual doubleheader on Dec. 9. ESPN and ESPN Radio will offer both games from New York City’s Madison Square Garden, beginning with Villanova vs. Illinois at 7 p.m., followed by Indiana vs. Louisville at 9 p.m.
Across all ESPN networks, the Bottomline will encourage viewers to join ESPN and The V Foundation in the fight against cancer by calling 1-800-4JimmyV or visiting jimmyv.org.
More Research Dollars
The V Foundation has also announced a new pediatric cancer research grant in conjunction with the Vs. Cancer Foundation.
Chase Jones, Vs. Cancer founder and CEO as well as childhood cancer survivor, will present The V Foundation with a check for $200,000 on the floor during the Jimmy V Men’s Classic at Madison Square Garden.
The donation will fund a 2015 V Scholar researching pediatric cancer. Vs. Cancer primarily raised the funds through head-shaving events with college and professional athletic teams, as well as amateur youth leagues, rallying athletes of all ages to help in the fight against pediatric cancer.
“On behalf of the Vs. Cancer Foundation, we are excited to work with The V Foundation to fund the best possible research to ensure more children have a better opportunity to beat cancer,” said Jones. “As a survivor, personally, I am humbled in this great step toward ultimately finding a cure.”
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano. Since then, it has funded more than $130 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs.
For more information or to make a donation, visit jimmyv.org.
