Victory Takes a Village
“I’ve been in their shoes, and I’ve been where they are. Seeing these kids, they shouldn’t be going through what they are going through.”
– Weston Hermann, Childhood Cancer Thriver
No child should ever have to face cancer. This is why one of the greatest passions of my life is helping children diagnosed with cancer.
Having four cancers – melanoma, lymphoma, vocal cord cancer and lymph node cancer, I have never been more inspired and motivated to raise money to help youngsters battling this dreaded disease.
These children are true Prime Time Players! They inspire me every day and need your support. Through the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, we have awarded over $84 million in pediatric cancer grants to the best-of-the-best researchers. We celebrate the many lives that have been saved. But that’s not enough. We need more research to save more lives and allow more children to thrive after beating cancer.
I can’t personally thank you enough for all you do in helping these courageous kids achieve Victory Over Cancer®.
Sincerely,
Dick Vitale
Heather Hindin, mother of pediatric cancer survivor Harper Harrell, shares the incredible moment when her daughter rang the bell, signifying the end of her treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Basketball legend Nancy Lieberman shares her inspiring story about using her platform to support kids battling cancer. Witness the courage and resilience of these young warriors as they fight for their lives.
V Foundation Funded Researchers – Proven Positive Impact
Gregory Friedman, M.D., a 2021 Translational Grantee from MD Anderson Cancer Center, focuses on improving outcomes for children with malignant brain cancer, particularly high-grade gliomas.
Prior to V Foundation funding, the Friedman lab came up with a novel way to use viruses to directly kill brain tumor cells, a kind of immunotherapy called oncolytic virotherapy.
Now, Dr. Friedman’s V-funded work is continuing to study ways to maximize response to viral therapy. To do this, they are designing a cancer vaccine to be given along with the virus to get a sustained immune response against the tumor.
They anticipate that the V Foundation award will lead to a new clinical trial for children with brain tumors and hopefully also change the treatment paradigm away from toxic chemotherapy and radiation towards a more targeted immunotherapy approach.
More Effective, More Personalized Cancer Treatment Options
We fund cancer researchers like Christopher Park, M.D., Ph.D. (NYU Langone Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center).
Researchers who are working on more effective, more personalized treatment options of the future.
Partner since 2016
The V Foundation and WWE have joined together to fight pediatric cancer! This partnership supports cancer research nationally through funds raised by Connor’s Cure, which was established by WWE at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.
Connor’s Cure was created in honor of 8-year-old WWE fan Connor Michalek, who battled medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. Connor’s Cure has helped raise nearly $4.5 million.
As a result of the partnership, funds raised by WWE will support Connor’s Cure through the V Foundation’s grant-making process. The V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of world-class physicians and research scientists, vets and awards top-rated grant proposals from the nation’s leading medical facilities. In addition, funding will continue to support the research being done at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC.
Partner since 2022
To fund life-saving research and give every kid the chance to help another battling cancer, First Watch donates a portion from the sale of every kid’s meal at its locations nationwide to the V Foundation’s Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer. 100% of these donations go toward pediatric cancer research and programs.
First Watch is also proud to continue its ongoing sponsorship of Dick Vitale’s annual gala, hosted in Sarasota, FL. Since 2006, ESPN analyst and V Foundation board member, Dick Vitale has hosted an event in Sarasota, FL to raise money for pediatric cancer research and the V Foundation.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation are uniting with men’s and women’s basketball teams across the country to end childhood cancer. Individuals, families, clubs, businesses, and sports teams can dribble through short on-campus courses and engage in other activities with their favorite college athletes while raising funds and awareness for research through the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer.
The Delta Chi Fraternity recognizes the prevalence of cancer among its own communities and has partnered with the V Foundation for Cancer Research as their International Philanthropy partner.
Delta Chi has more than 130 chapters, and over 80% are involved in fundraising. This has led to more than $2 million raised for the V Foundation.
The V Foundation has teamed up with Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation (JGCF), led by vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, to co-fund three All-Star Grant awards valued at $1 million each and dedicated to pediatric cancer research. The $1.5 million gift, which is matched by the V Foundation to bring the total to $3 million, will spur innovative cancer research to strengthen pediatric cancer treatment and cures in the future.
The Horn Funding Group has partnered with the V Foundation to help raise funds for pediatric cancer research. For every closed loan, The Horn Funding Group will donate $100 to pediatric cancer research.
Corvette for a Cure
You could win Jeff Gordon’s 2024 Corvette Stingray Z51 Convertible
When you purchase a raffle ticket, you are supporting the partnership of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and the V Foundation, dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research.
Walk With A Humble Swagger
There are no hybrid basketball/advertising books…until now!
In his upcoming book, Walk with a Humble Swagger, Michael Palma – who as a basketball player back in the day was recruited by Jim Valvano – shares tips on how to recruit top talent and grow agencies, as well as useful tips and tactics for successful creatives in the ad industry.
Michael is the founder and owner of The Palma Group, a leading recruiting and consulting firm specializing in the advertising industry.
30% of all proceeds from Walk With a Humber Swagger will go directly to the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. Dick wrote the foreword for the book as well.
