V Foundation

History and founding

In January 1993, ESPN executives Steve Bornstein and John Lack met with Jim and Pam Valvano, offering ESPN's support in creating a foundation for cancer research. Jim, who had been diagnosed with terminal metastatic adenocarcinoma on June 15, 1992, developed the initial plan on a yellow pad. On March 4, 1993, at ESPN's first ESPY Awards, Valvano announced the foundation's launch while receiving the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. He declared its motto: "Don't Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up!" He died on April 28, 1993.

Organization

Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, the foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. John Saunders was a founding board member of the V Foundation. Other notable people involved in the V Foundation have been Dick Vitale, Mike Krzyzewski, Trey Wingo, Dereck Whittenburg, and others. The foundation is a 501(c)(3).

CEOs

Valvano's brother, Nicholas, served as CEO from 1999 until 2012. Susan Braun served in the role until 2021. Shane Jacobson served in the role until August 2025. Clark Kinlin is currently the Interm CEO. Valvano's daughter has been involved in the foundation.

Scientific Review Committee

Notable past members of the foundation's scientific review committee include: Edison Liu, Karen H. Antman, Robert C. Bast, Jr., Gerold Bepler, and Ronald Levy. Others include Nancy Davidson, Carlos Arteaga, Olivera Finn, Susan Hilsenbeck, and Michael B. Kastan.

Research grants

The foundation funds cancer research by awarding research grants to selected researchers, known as V Scholars, through a review process by its Scientific Review Committee. The foundation has also funded cancer research facilities.

Recipients

In 2024, two University of Texas at San Antonio Health scientists received V Foundation grants. A V Foundation grant went toward supporting childhood cancer research at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Two researchers at the Wistar Institute received grants in 2025.

In 2025, the foundation awarded an $800,000 grant to Kristy Brown, Ph.D., at the University of Kansas Cancer Center to study how obesity contributes to breast cancer risk and whether lifestyle changes like exercise and weight loss can prevent it by improving mitochondrial function. Salk Institute for Biological Studies Professor Diana Hargreaves received a $1 million V Foundation All-Star Translational Award to advance pancreatic cancer immunotherapy research, building on her prior work identifying SWI/SNF mutations as key to improving treatment efficacy. Andrea Kasinski, deputy director of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, was awarded an $800,000 V Foundation Translational Grant to develop targeted microRNA-based therapies for cancer, advancing innovative treatments toward clinical application.

Gender disparity grants

In 2024, The V Foundation selected 15 scientists nationwide for funding through its "A Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research" program, aimed at addressing gender disparities in cancer research.

Fundraising

Initiatives and events

The foundation conducts fundraising through a variety of initiatives and events, such as "Run For Team V" and "Fundraise for the V." Bristol Myers Squibb employees and others have participated in the Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Ride to raise funds for the foundation. They host an annual wine celebration. The foundation hosts an annual Boo-Yah! event to honor the legacy of Stuart Scott. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has collaborated with ESPN to fundraise.

Dick Vitale hosts an annual event to raise money and awareness for Childhood cancer. In 2025, the 20th annual Vitale Gala raised $12.5 million for the foundation, surpassing $100 million in total grants.

Each year, the Dribble for Victory Over Cancer event, hosted by UNC Athletics in partnership with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the V Foundation, raises funds for pediatric cancer research at UNC Children's Research Institute.

Jimmy V Classic

The Jimmy V Classic is an annual basketball game organized by ESPN Events to raise money for the V Foundation and awareness for cancer research.

Corporate and media support

ESPN has supported the V Foundation through initiatives like the Tournament Challenge Marathon, a 24- to 25-hour programming event promoting bracketology during NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament while raising awareness and funds for cancer research.

In March 2016, WWE partnered with The V Foundation. Corporations, including Hooters, have partnered with the foundation to raise money.

Public figures, athletes, and others

It has received support from public figures and sports professionals. NHL captain Alex Ovechkin launched the "GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer" campaign, which ties his goal-scoring achievements to monetary donations for pediatric cancer research. ESPN holds an annual V Week and has helped raise millions of dollars for the foundation. In March 2021, Mat Ishbia donated $1 million to foundation. Taylor Swift has donated $100,000.

In 2024, the foundation and the Miami Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) announced a fundraising partnership to support cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, with Serena Williams joining the collaboration.

In response to 2025 U.S. government funding cuts, Nancy Major, MD, a clinical professor, radiologist, and V Foundation board member, organized a fundraiser in Park City, Utah to support the V Foundation.

Fraternal and organizational

In 2005, the Orange Krush Foundation presented the Jimmy V Foundation with a check for $50,000. The money represented the one-millionth dollar donated in the Orange Krush Foundation's eight-year existence. In 2006, the fraternity Delta Chi named the V Foundation as its official philanthropic organization. Delta Chi has raised over one million dollars for the V foundation.

Awards and recognition

The V Foundation recognizes different people for their courage and roles in cancer research.The foundation recognized Tylee Craft, a college football player, who inspired his football team and community after his diagnosis with cancer. André Hoelz was awarded the Albert Wyrick V Scholar Award.

Jimmy V Award

The Jimmy V Award trophy, designed by sculptor Lawrence Nowlan, is presented at the annual ESPY Awards ceremony in Los Angeles by The V Foundation.

References

References

1. Valvano, Nick. (1999). "The V Foundation for Cancer Research". Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.).
2. (2024-12-03). "V Week 2024: Donate now to support the V Foundation and fight cancer".
3. "About Our Cancer Research Foundation".
4. Wojciechowski, Gene. (1993-04-29). "Valvano Dies After Cancer Fight : College basketball: Former North Carolina State coach battled illness for last year. He was 47.".
5. "John Saunders for Pediatric Cancer Research".
6. Casey, Tim. "Battling Cancer, Dick Vitale Continues To Raise Millions And Eyes Return To Broadcasting".
7. (February 21, 2023). "Coach K's second act: raising funds, speaking gigs, Duke games on TV". The Athletic.
8. "The V Team | the V Foundation for Cancer Research".
9. (2013-05-09). "The V Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer".
10. (2012-08-03). "V Foundation: Nick Valvano steps down".
11. (2019-03-14). "Interview: Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation".
12. "V Foundation CEO and Iowa State alum shares insight on cancer research investments - News Service".
13. "V Foundation for Cancer Research Appoints Clark Kinlin Interim CEO as Shane Jacobson Joins American Cancer Society".
14. "In Depth: Jamie Valvano".
15. "Scientific Advisory Committee Archives".
16. "Our Cancer Research Grants".
17. Lee, Steven. (2024-12-02). "Two UT Health San Antonio scientists awarded V Foundation grants to advance innovative cancer research".
18. Varine, Patrick. (2021-02-11). "V Foundation grant goes toward children's cancer research at UPMC Children's". The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Pittsburgh, PA).
19. (2025). "Shop Talk". Oncology Times.
20. "KU Cancer Center awarded V Foundation grant to study obesity and breast cancer prevention".
21. "Salk Professor Diana Hargreaves earns V Foundation award for pancreatic cancer research".
22. (2025-07-15). "Kasinski awarded V Foundation Translational Grant to advance first-in-class targeted RNA therapies".
23. (2024-07-03). "Eyler to Receive V Foundation Women Scientists Grant".
24. West, Cycling. (2021-10-24). "Coast 2 Coast 4 Cancer Riders Raise Over $1.67 Million for Cancer Research".
25. Petrosky, Ava. "Villanova Alum Raises Nearly 225k for Cancer Research".
26. (2024-08-04). "Former ESPN president honored with Jimmy V Spirit Award at cancer fundraising event in Napa".
27. STAFF, REGISTER. (2025-08-07). "V Foundation raises $12.3 million during Napa Valley fundraiser".
28. (2024-12-12). "V Foundation's 4th annual Boo-Yah! event honors legacy of ESPN sportscaster Stuart Scott".
29. (2024-11-26). "Boo-Yah event in honor of Stuart Scott recognizes researcher fighting racial disparities in cancer".
30. (2019-12-02). "UFC Fight Like Hell Night: Donate now to the V Foundation".
31. Knight, Joey. (May 17, 2014). "Dick Vitale holds annual fundraiser for pediatric cancer". [[Tampa Bay Times]].
32. Soltys, Mike. (2025-05-05). "Vitale Gala helps raise $12.5M for V Foundation".
33. "Dribble For Victory Over Cancer Set For September 14".
34. (2017-03-06). "ESPN's 24-hour bracket marathon features ties to Las Vegas, V Foundation". Sporting News.
35. (March 14, 2016). "WWE forms tag team with V Foundation for cancer awareness". [[Associated Press]].
36. "Hooters Supports the Fight Against Breast Cancer by Raising $605,112 for the V Foundation".
37. (2025-03-02). "Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Players Use NIL Money to Donate to V Foundation".
38. (2025-03-05). "Ovechkin launches 'The GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer' {{!}} NHL.com".
39. (2025-03-05). "Ovechkin aiding cancer research with each goal".
40. Manzo, John R.. (2024-12-03). "ESPN & The V Foundation Announce 18th Annual V Week for Cancer Research".
41. [https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/sports/2021/03/12/one-time-michigan-state-benchwarmer-donates-1-million-v-foundation-cancer-research/4663688001/ Ex-Michigan State hoops player donates $1 million to V Foundation]
42. Sinha, Anki. (2024-07-22). "Serena Williams Announces V Foundation and DCC's Commitment to Sylvester Cancer Research".
43. Thatcher, Leslie. (2025-08-12). "Park City fundraiser to support The V Foundation's cancer research".
44. (December 6, 2005). "Orange Krush Donates $50,000 to Jimmy V Foundation". University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
45. "Delta Chi • V Foundation".
46. "Tylee Craft's Courageous Lung Cancer Journey".
47. "André Hoelz, Ph.D.".
48. Avard, Christian. (August 2, 2013). "Sculptor commissioned to complete Joe Frazier statue has died". [[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]].
49. "V Foundation". [[ESPN]].