The book highlights how the idea of the Foundation came to be and shares stories from Jim’s closest friends.  Friends like Mike Krzyzewski comment, “Jimmy formed The V Foundation during the last couple months of his life. We would laugh, joke and cry at the hospital together. One night he said, “I want to try to fund cancer research; I want you to be on my team!” He recruited me during that time. His wisdom and his ability to think beyond his life was incredible.” 

One of my favorite pages is the one that asks some of Board of Directors what they think Jim would say about the Foundation. They almost all agree that he would say, “You’re not doing enough! Raise more money!” Well lucky for us, we feel the same way and continue to try our best to fund even more researchers.

The V Foundation had a humble beginning. Much of what we started with remains today. Our Board of Directors contains the same team Jim recruited and we have had added even more supporters. From funding our first researchers, The V Foundation can happily say that our $100 million investment in researchers has leveraged more than $1 billion in additional funding.  In 2012, we awarded $14.6 million in grants compared to the $229,000 we were able to give in 1995.

Although The V Foundation has had a successful past 20 years, we are hoping that the next can bring even more success. We want to be able to fund more researchers, and gain more supporters. We need the Valvano’s generation to Pass The V. The concept is simple- the feelings people experienced while watching the speech were unparalleled. We need those supporters to pass the feeling and the message of Jim Valvano to the next generation. In order to keep the success we have, we need Jim’s story, mission, and goal to transpire far into the future.

Many pages of the book will draw your attention- reading some of the stories may even make you cry. However, I want everyone to take a look at one of the last pages titled a world without cancer. A world without cancer will be the ultimate victory for Valvano and The V Foundation team.

We know that Jim would be proud of all that his Foundation has achieved. And he would be happy to know that we are not giving up. Perhaps the speech that resonates close with everyone is when Jim said, “If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week; you’re going to have something special. ” We encourage everyone to do that each day. In many ways, the Foundation that bears Jim’s name brings these words to life.

Check out the book here.  

The post Where we started, where we are, and where we want to be: 20th Anniversary Book appeared first on The V Foundation.

I knew some of the wide range of work I would be involved in.

I knew little of the scope that the memory of the legendary Jimmy V could reach.

I knew nothing of the kindness and dedication of each V Foundation staff member.

I knew even less the magnitude of impact this experience would have on my life.

Today, as the semester comes to a close, I can express nothing but awe and gratitude for The V Foundation.  I never imagined that I would be honestly excited to wake up before the sun had risen so that I could work before my classes began.  But I was.

Every day at the Foundation was a day of friendly faces and welcomed challenges.  I learned not only invaluable skills for my future, but what it is like to work in an office that treats each other as with compassion and respect and what it means to truly love your job.

When I came to the office in Cary last fall, I had hoped for an internship that would allow me to develop and grow new skills so that I may be better prepared for my future.  I had no idea that I’d come away with an experience that would stay with me always.

So, though I knew nothing of the treasures that The V Foundation had to offer, I am forever grateful they took a chance on such an oblivious intern and shared with me such an incredible opportunity.

The post The Treasure of an Internship appeared first on The V Foundation.

As you make your way inside, you notice Coach Kevin Ollie and Coach Jim Calhoun posing for a photograph with a few of the kids at the event. A picture that’s probably worth more than a thousand words.

You decide to grab some sweet tea (it may be Florida- but it’s still the south!) and you notice that you are now standing behind one of the producers of the 30for30 film, Survive and Advance, and former NCSU player, Dereck Whittenburg. You begin to debate in your head…should I run to the car and get my copy of the movie (that you got from Fanactics) and have him sign it?

Now you are wondering…where could you be? Easy, the Eighth Annual Dick Vitale Gala, and those are just a few of the people you will see there. Coach Tom Izzo from Michigan State, Coach Billy Donovan from Florida, and Coach Jay Wright from Villanova are just a few more of the celebrities you will see. Not to mention, Coach Bobby Bowden, Coach Jim Calhoun and Coach Bill Self, who will be recognized at the event. The question is…are you going to be there?

Tickets are almost sold out, so don’t delay. And of course- there is always next year!

The post A sunny Friday afternoon… appeared first on The V Foundation.

May is National Cancer Research Month and here is some useful information to understand about National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers. Becoming a NCI-designated cancer center is not something that can happen overnight. It takes several years to build the research facilities and researchers needed to meet the rigorous review process and is a recognition of scientific excellence and of outstanding leadership.

“These cancer centers put significant resources into developing research programs, faculty, and facilities that will lead to better approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.” – NCI Designated Cancer Centers

We are proud to have awarded grants at 62 of the 67 NCI-designated cancer centers.

Here’s to cancer research. 

The post May = National Cancer Research Month appeared first on The V Foundation.

Coincidence is word that is often used when we can’t seem to pinpoint the connection between two points. Although we may not be able to see the “levers and pulleys” that connect the two points, we recognize that, in almost any situation, there is meaning behind even the smallest of things. The Embody family has a unique relationship with The V Foundation. Although the family has donated money, time, and support, the Foundation seems to have given back to the Embodys in more ways than one. In some ways, the Foundation found the Embodys.

Billy and Andy Embody with NFL Analyst Jon Gruden

Charlotte Embody, loving wife and mother, worked in Sarasota, Fla. for an ABC affiliate. She quickly met Dick Vitale who was a common guest on the sports segment of her newscast. Not far after, Charlotte and Derek, her husband, turned on the television on Mar. 3, 1993 and watched Jimmy V deliver his famous speech at the inaugural ESPYS as he received the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award. In the following years, the Embodys would commonly vacation to Siesta Key, Fla., and frequently visit the Broken Egg restaurant (although probably not as much as Vitale!) and see Vitale. As the two boys, Billy, 21, and Andy, 18, grew up, they would greet and talk with Vitale at dinner. 

“There was one time in particular that Dick was just really great with our kids,” said Charlotte, “I was surprised how generous he was with his time in public like that.”  Vitale’s generosity was reciprocated. Knowing that Vitale was a great friend to Valvano combined with his kindness to Billy and Andy, the Embody family went back to their condo and decided to make a donation to The V Foundation. They handed it directly to Vitale and said, “Get this to The V Foundation.” Charlotte jokes that by the time they got home from dinner, there was already a thank you card, signed books, and posters among other goodies. “We were grabbed by that,” said Charlotte.

The story of the Embodys and The V Foundation connects again in Billy’s 5^th grade year. Jennifer Dosher, a N.C. State
alumna, was Billy’s 5^th grade teacher. She encouraged him to sign up for a public speaking club where each student was assigned a speech to eventually deliver to the school. Dosher picked Valvano’s speech for Billy. Countless hours of practice returned numerous compliments about what a great job he had done with the speech. A few years later, Andy was asked to give the same speech. Both boys remark that certain parts of the speech have become words that they live by. “Nothing great was ever accomplished without enthusiasm” by Ralph Waldo Emerson quickly became Billy’s motto and is truly reflective of constant enthusiasm. Andy lives and breathes, “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!®” quote and also parallels his persistent and determined personality.

The connections don’t end there. At the beginning of Andy’s senior year, Derek’s sister was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Andy was really upset by the news. Without saying anything to the public, he planned to donate $10 to The V Foundation every time he scored a touchdown. Andy scored 20 touchdowns that season. With dreams of a career in football, Andy hopes that alongside his rise in football, so will the awareness of the Foundation.

One way the Foundation celebrates our success is through the annual Dick Vitale Gala. One of Charlotte’s fondest memories of The V Foundation was their first Gala. Charlotte recalls the emotions of their first Gala. “The face to face contact with people, making those relationships, and hearing those stories first hand really gets you on a certain level. You can read about it and you can watch YouTube videos about it, but to see people’s faces, I just really think it takes your emotions to a new level.”

Billy and Andy Embody with Coach Brad Stevens

The Embody family is one highlight of The V Foundation’s success. As we celebrate our 20^th anniversary, we publish one blog piece on the 20^th of each month. We had already chosen April 20^th for the Embody family when Charlotte told us that’s the date of their wedding anniversary. These little, everyday connections bring our Foundation into the lives of donors and supporters nationwide.

We thank the Embody family for truly embodying our mission, goals, future and being a member of our team. Thank you for helping us “Pass The V” this month. “We Pass The V in little ways. If we can make a difference or make just one person aware or maybe have them give some thought to the importance of The V Foundation, it is worth it.”

The post 20th Anniversary: Why We Pass The V appeared first on The V Foundation.

We roll the windows down in our cars and imagine what it’d be like if we could take the off the roof to soak up some more of that shining sun.  The thought of driving a convertible during this beautiful Spring season sounds heavenly, but impossible, so you put it out of your mind.

Well think again. Come May 17, 2013, you could be the proud new owner of a Mars Red Mercedes E350A convertible.

That’s right, by purchasing a raffle ticket for only $100, you could drive away from the Eighth Annual Dick Vitale Gala, held by ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Dick Vitale and benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research, with your hair blowing around in a shiny, cherry-red convertible.

ESPN and Canadian Sportscaster Dan Shulman will host of the event at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida, honoring coaches Bobby Bowden, Jim Calhoun and Bill Self.  Tickets for an evening filled with glitz, glamour and convertibles, benefiting The V Foundation, will begin at $1,000.  Net proceeds of the event benefit pediatric cancer research.

With around 50 of 1,500 raffle tickets left, make a tax-deductible donation today and enter the chance to win the car, and the Summer, of your dreams, all in the name of cancer research.

The post It’s time to Spring! appeared first on The V Foundation.

This March, the brothers of Indiana University Delta Chi hosted their second annual Miss Greek IU.  The event, which showcases the most well-rounded women of IU’s Greek Community, focuses on their morals, achievement, and community service.

“We wanted to show that the Greek community isn’t all about partying…it’s about giving back to the community,” said Delta Chi brother, Geoffrey Kerbis.

And give back they did.  Through the efforts of the brothers, the contestants and the audience, last year’s pageant generated over $12,500 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

The brothers organized the pageant so that it balanced both traditional and non-traditional aspects.  They included the ball gown and interview portions, but replaced the bikini round with a philanthropy round, asking each of the 18 contestants to dress up to represent their own sorority’s philanthropy.

Each contestant was asked to fundraise for the event and in return received 10% of their contributions towards their sorority’s philanthropy, the rest being donated to The V Foundation.  The winning contestant also received a scholarship, highlighting the brother’s commitment to service and achievement.

This year, Emily Hart, Miss Indiana USA 2013, co-hosted the event.  Over 500 people attended the pageant in 2012, and this year they expect at least double. 

Delta Chi Fraternity has demonstrated resounding commitment to The V Foundation over the years, but today the Indiana Chapter takes this commitment even further.  This year, in honor of the Foundation’s 20^th Anniversary, their fundraising goal is a monumental $20,000.the pageant in 2012, and this year they expect at least double.

The post Delta Chi: Miss IU 2013 appeared first on The V Foundation.

My wife Stacy was hugely pregnant at the time, and so was another of the moms we met at the school, and the two of them immediately gravitated to each other in the way that all hugely pregnant women tend to. That mom was named Heidi Armitage.

In the ensuing seven years, Heidi became one of Stacy’s closest friends in the world, and our families became extremely close as well. We traveled together, our kids took swimming lessons together, we had more dinners and more laughs than I could ever count.

Early in 2009, Heidi began complaining of pain in her back. There wasn’t any alarm, more a nuisance than anything else. Physical therapy didn’t help, neither did a chiropractor. Finally, a doctor recommended they perform a cat scan, just to be on the safe side. You don’t want to know what happened next.

Heidi died on September 30th, 2009, leaving behind two wonderful kids, a devoted husband, and a community of people she touched with her warmth, humor and overall pizazz. It is Stacy’s and my great honor to donate one hundred per cent of the author’s proceeds from “All You Could Ask For” to our friends at The V Foundation, in the hope that someday stories like this one will have markedly happier endings.

 Thank you for your support.

Greeny 

Greeny and his wife, Stacy, will be hosting a “Book Talk” on Google + on April 23rd and are looking for participants! Check out here on how to enter. 

The post A message from Greeny appeared first on The V Foundation.

Mike and Stacy Greenberg on the book tour for All You Could Ask For.

All You Could Ask For “Book Talk” on April 23rd

Every morning you hear Mike Greenberg debating about all things sports. In this Google+ Hangout “Book Talk” we are going to debate the actresses who could portray the characters of his new book, “All You Could Ask For.” This insightful story is about three unforgettable women who don’t know each other, but their stories are about to intertwine in ways that no one could imagine.

We have a great opportunity for you! The V Foundation is looking for five people to join our Book Talk” on Google+ and discuss about which actresses would play the parts of the characters and why with Greenberg and his wife, Stacy. After all, in today’s world, it’s becoming second nature for books to become movies- here’s a chance to put your two cents in (It hasn’t happened yet- but the possibilities are endless!).

Read the book (out April 2nd) and submit a 1-2 minute video about which actresses should play the characters by April 16th*. Video submissions can be sent to media@jimmyv.org.

Learn more about All You Could Ask For here. And don’t forget to join the event!

*You must be available on April 19th for equipment testing and April 23rd at 1 pm for the hangout

The post A chance to “hangout” with Mike Greenberg… appeared first on The V Foundation.

For example, in 1993 the NIH Act of Revitalization mandated that women and minority groups must be a part of all federally funded clinical trials with few exceptions. Think about what cancer research was like when women and minorities were severely underrepresented in studies, and then the impact that this had on what we know about cancer.   

With cancer, we often hear of the 5 year survival rate. Since 1993, the 5-year cancer survival rate for all cancers has increased significantly. This has a lot to do with the fact that more cancers are diagnosed in early stages where they are generally most treatable.

Speaking of treatment- Targeted therapies that block the growth or spread of cancer by interfering with a specific molecule is the direction of cancer treatment in 2013. In 1993 this was conceptual. Now, at least 50 targeted therapies have been approved for in-cancer therapies or are being tested. Precision (molecularly-based) treatment is becoming the norm in 2013.

As a non-science person, this next piece of information is something that I’m really excited about. The number of Board Certified oncologists in the USA has nearly increased by 50% since 1993. These are doctors specifically trained to treat cancer. Here’s a big shout-out to all of those kids in science class!

Finally, in our look at 1993 vs. 2013, I’m going to give a little tug at your heart. Today, the majority of children with cancer survive. Check out this great graph from St. Jude Children’s Hospital and see the current survival rates of children with cancer. I think we are making great progress!

It’s great to see how far we have come in the past 20 years- in The V Foundation’s lifetime. Here’s to the next 20 years!

Information for this post was taken from the NCI, NIH, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. 

The post 20th Anniversary: 1993 vs. 2013 appeared first on The V Foundation.