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Jim Valvano took to television faster than anyone. So it was fitting that through ESPN, Jim delivered the speech of his life at the inaugural ESPY Awards.

That memorable 1993 event was highlighted by ESPN’s and Jim’s announcement of The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The span of years seems shorter because Jim’s words and mission for The Foundation reverberate today.

Shortly before that first ESPY event, then-ESPN president Steve Bornstein had suggested to Jim and Pam Valvano that ESPN would start a foundation for cancer research with Jim. Often in press interviews during his battle with cancer, Jim had talked about too few dollars being raised for cancer research in comparison to other diseases. Yet based on current trends, one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer over his or her lifetime.

That ESPY night, Jim could barely climb the steps to the stage to receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Yet he mustered up his great passion, humor and deep sentiment to tell us the story of his life and family and of his coaching career. Then he delivered the critical message. He challenged us all to find a cure. “Don’t Give Up...Don’t Ever Give Up!”®

Each year, Jim’s remarks are aired in their entirety on ESPN during the annual fundraiser launched by ESPN in 1995 – the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic. The Women’s Basketball Classic was added in 2002. The impact of Jim’s words is undiminished.
ESPN President George Bodenheimer congratulates Tiger Woods -- the all-time ESPY Awards winner. A portion of the proceeds from The ESPY Awards are donated to The V Foundation annually.
ESPN President George Bodenheimer congratulates Tiger Woods -- the all-time ESPY Awards winner. A portion of the proceeds from The ESPY Awards are donated to The V Foundation annually.
Calls, e-mails and donations pour into The V Foundation when the speech is replayed.

Each year through the power of television, viewers are reminded of this great cause through the ESPY Awards and the ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Classics, the highlights from the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic and its huge fund-raising success, and The V Foundation Wine Celebration in California.

Few charitable foundations have the powerful combination of the memory and passion of such an incredible individual and one of the most recognized brands in the world.

In recent years, ESPN and ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer has emphasized the need to take the exposure and creative fund-raising ideas for The Foundation to an even greater level across ESPN’s multimedia entities – from the television networks to event franchises like the X Games and BASS, from ESPN Radio to ESPN The Magazine, ESPN.com and even ESPN Zones, the sports-themed entertainment and dining establishments.

A leader in brand and integrated marketing, George established Team ESPN and the ESPN V Committee, comprised of representatives throughout the company who develop and coordinate ideas across ESPN’s multimedia platforms.

The effort extends to the on-air voices of ESPN. To attempt to cite all the commentators who spread the word about the Jimmy V mission, to try to capture the valuable time they donate to V Foundation events and initiatives, would be daunting. The value of connecting to the ESPN brand, the amount of exposure on ESPN entities and the time spent by ESPN employees in coordinating details is impossible to fully quantify.

Jim’s spirit is thriving in all who have been touched by his words. His challenge is carried on by legions of people from every corner of ESPN to The V Foundation’s Cary, North Carolina home, around the country, and even around the world through ESPN.com and ESPN International.

No doubt Jim is smiling down on everyone on his team … and he’s probably razzing a few, too. The efforts of so many are incalculable and the potential for The V Foundation is limitless. We are the Cinderella team who will beat cancer and cut down the net.