V Week 2022 – Help Cancer Research Win
Cancer research has saved lives. There are 18 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today. That number is expected to rise to 22.1 million by 2030.
The V Foundation has awarded over $310 million in cancer research grants since Jim took the stage at the ESPYS to help save lives. But, more support is needed. Cancer continues to be the second-leading cause of death in the United States.
Today’s cancer research leads to tomorrow’s standard treatment of care – and more personalized treatments, more survivors.
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. The Jimmy V Classic began in 1995 (men’s event) and the women’s event debuted in 2002. The Jimmy V Classic is a part of ESPN’s V Week, which utilizes the worldwide leader in sports’ premier platforms to raise awareness among sports fans about the importance of cancer research.
V Week begins Tuesday, November 29 and runs through December 11. Help us team up to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.
Jimmy V Classic
The Jimmy V Classic, named for legendary college men’s basketball coach and former ESPN commentator Jim Valvano, annually raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, which was founded by Valvano 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 initiative, which utilizes platforms to provide important messaging to sports fans about the importance of cancer research.
Buy tickets for the games or tune in to ESPN for the women’s matchup on Sunday, December 4 and the men’s matchup Tuesday, December 6!
Jimmy V Classic Challenge
It takes a team to achieve Victory Over Cancer®. Even better? When 8 teams work together to support cancer research to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.
The Jimmy V Classic Challenge is comprised of the 8 universities participating in the Jimmy V Classic games to raise incremental dollars for cancer research and split it 50/50 between V Foundation funded grants and local research initiatives supported by each school and approved by the V Foundation.
Patrick McCaffery
Iowa men’s basketball player Patrick McCaffery was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 14. After battling and beating the disease, Patrick achieved his dream of playing college basketball. To make it sweeter, he plays for his dad, Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. Now, the duo will compete in the Jimmy V Classic on ESPN.
Andrew Jones
In 2018, Andrew Jones was competing in his sophomore basketball season at the University of Texas when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Hear from Andrew on how he faced his diagnosis, his return to the court and his commitment to the V Foundation.
Fritz Spence
Fritz Spence, an assistant coach to the Penn State track and field team for the past 16 seasons, is a 3x cancer survivor and remains a passionate advocate for cancer research. As a patient, Fritz participated in multiple research trials with the hopes of improving treatments and outcomes for future generations of patients.
Harper Harrell
Nine-year-old Harper Harrell was diagnosed with leukemia in 2021. During her journey, she’s become an advocate for cancer research and has raised over $24,000 for the V foundation.
Noah Reeb
Noah Reeb’s childhood was interrupted when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Throughout treatment, Noah, entering fifth grade, leaned on football as an inspiration and inspired Tom Brady along the way. After four surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, Noah now has clear scans and wants to share his story and fundraise for cancer research.
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.
My Cause My Cleats: Russell Wilson and Nick Bolton
Russell Wilson
Wilson’s cleats will promote the V Foundation and his Why Not You Foundation.
Nick Bolton
Bolton will wear one pink cleat for breast cancer and one gray cleat for brain cancer. His mother and sister are both survivors, so each cleat will have their name and the date they declared Victory Over Cancer®.
Artist: Billy Hobbs – @truebluecustoms
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