The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, and ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Dick Vitale, are proud to announce the 13th Annual Dick Vitale Gala will be held on May 11 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota in Florida. Over the years, Vitale has been relentless in fighting to achieve victory over pediatric cancer, and the Gala has raised more than $21 million. This year’s event will honor ESPN television and radio personality Mike Greenberg, Florida State University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Leonard Hamilton and University of Michigan Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh.
“It is hard to believe that we are in the13th year of our annual Gala. This one is going to be off the charts with honorees Mike Greenberg, Leonard Hamilton and Jim Harbaugh – all dedicated to helping kids battling cancer,” said Vitale. “There will be a special tribute to two special children we’ve lost, Tony Colton and Chad Carr, during the evening. This year, we will break our record and raise over $3.5 million.”
Recruiting some of the biggest names in sports to his Gala each year, Vitale continues to build the support and momentum needed to defeat pediatric cancer. With just four percent of federal cancer research funding dedicated to pediatric cancer, Vitale and the V Foundation are eager to make a significant impact in finding cures for the leading cause of death by disease in American children. Vitale leads the V Foundation’s pediatric cancer research initiative. His Gala is held each May to benefit childhood cancer research. Last year, Vitale’s event raised more than $3 million and inspired countless others to support the cause. The V Foundation has awarded $30 million in pediatric research grants.
This year, Vitale and the V Foundation are excited to honor three great sports figures. Greenberg is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame, a long-time ESPN personality and author of All You Could Ask For, a tribute to a family friend who lost a battle to breast cancer. Greenberg donates 100% of the proceeds from the novel to the V Foundation. Hamilton, the most successful men’s basketball coach in Florida State history, has led the Seminoles to 299 wins in 16 seasons, and he is a three-time National Coach of the Year. Harbaugh is a 1987 Heisman Trophy finalist, former San Francisco 49ers Head Coach and current Head Football Coach at Michigan.
“The Dick Vitale Gala lives up to Jim Valvano’s recipe for a great day: you laugh, you think and you cry,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “All this in all-star company leads to an evening of great fun—and most importantly—great help for children with cancer.”
The V Foundation has proudly awarded more than $200 million for cutting-edge cancer research. The V Foundation holds a 4-star (highest) rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, and is among the top 4% of cancer charities of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation is a GuideStar platinum-rated charity.
For more information about the 13th Annual Dick Vitale Gala or to purchase tickets, please visit www.jimmyv.org/vitale.
