User:Acdixon/Jimmy V Foundation
| Named after | Jim Valvano |
|---|---|
| Formation | March 4, 1993 |
| Founder | Jim Valvano and ESPN |
| Founded at | New York City |
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Purpose | Funding cancer research |
| Headquarters | Cary, North Carolina |
Chief Executive Officer | Susan Braun |
| Website | jimmyv |
The V Foundation for Cancer Research (also known as the Jimmy V Foundation) is an American non-profit organization that funds cancer research. It is named for former college basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died of metastatic adenocarcinoma in 1993. The Foundation's motto is "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
History
[edit]In June 1992, ESPN broadcaster and former basketball coach Jim Valvano was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma; his doctor's prognosis gave him no more than a year to live.[1] While accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the inaugural ESPY Awards on March 4, 1993, Valvano announced that he, in partnership with ESPN, was starting The V Foundation for Cancer Research.[2] Valvano told the ESPY audience, "It may not save my life, but let`s get the money to the doctors in the research hospitals so my daughter doesn`t get it, so your child doesn`t get it, so we can find cures."[3] He added that the Foundation's motto would be, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."[4] Less than two months later, Valvano died.[5]
On the day of Valvano's death, ESPN CEO Steve Bornstein announced that viewers had already donated $100,000 to the Foundation.[6] One year later, the Foundation announced it had surpassed $1 million in donations.[7] In August 1994, the Foundation made its first grants, totalling $450,000.[8] The announcement came just after a report critical of the Foundation for failing to file required federal and state paperwork related to its tax-exempt status and its ability to solicit charitable donations.[8]
In 1995, the Foundation moved its headquarters from New York City to Cary, North Carolina.[9]
Events
[edit]Proceeds from many high profile sporting events benefit the foundation. Following the inaugural ESPYs in 1993, proceeds from all subsequent ESPY programs have benefited the Foundation.[10] The Foundation organized the inaugural Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic, an annual fundraising event, in North Carolina in August 1994.[8] In December 1995, ESPN announced an annual college basketball event, the Jimmy V Classic.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ McCann, Gary (April 29, 1993). "Even in Death, "V" was for Victory". Greensboro News & Record.
- ^ "Valvano: Take Time to Laugh, Think, Cry". The Charlotte Observer. March 6, 1993.
- ^ Chandler, Charles (March 14, 1993). "Will to Win Still Intense in Cancer Fight". The Charlotte Observer.
- ^ Patterson, Donald W. (April 29, 1993). "Valvano Won the Game of Life". Greensboro News & Record.
- ^ Green, Jr., Ron; Chandler, Charles (April 29, 1993). "Today, a Tear for Coach Jim Valvano". The Charlotte Observer.
- ^ Kindred, Randy (April 29, 1993). "ESPN head: Jimmy V Foundation to live on". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois.
- ^ Tudor, Caulton (April 28, 1994). "Valvano Foundation tops $1 million mark". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina.
- ^ a b c Buggs, Shannon (August 27, 1994). "Jimmy V foundation announces first grants". The News & Observer. Raleigh, North Carolina.
- ^ "This cancer survivor counts his blessings every day". Herald-Journal. Spartanburg, South Carolina. February 26, 1996.
- ^ "WWE Superstar John Cena hosted ESPYS on ABC". The Miami Herald. July 14, 2016.
- ^ Raissman, Bob (December 17, 1995). "Vitale Remembers Jimmy V". New York Daily News.