Jamie Valvano to Present Inaugural Visionary Vine Award to Washington Nationals Owner Mark Lerner
Cary, N.C. [March 10, 2022] – The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s seventh annual Virginia Vine fundraising event is set to take place from April 8-10, 2022 in Middleburg, Virginia. The weekend’s schedule of events includes a ‘Wine|Country: Nashville Comes to Middleburg’ concert by Maggie Rose, as well as a Voices for Victory panel discussion with sports greats and scientists, a dinner featuring a live auction, and a farewell breakfast. All events during the weekend will focus on the V Foundation’s mission of achieving Victory Over Cancer®. An all-inclusive ticket is $1,500 per person and Friday single-day event tickets are $500 per person. Net proceeds will support game-changing cancer research in Virginia and beyond.
“How exciting it is to be back in beautiful Loudoun County for another fantastic Virginia Vine,” said Shane Jacobson, chief executive officer of the V Foundation. “From the food and wine to the weekend’s events, this will be an exceptional experience that benefits the very best cancer research.”
The 2022 Virginia Vine event is raising funds for early detection research. When cancer is found early, treatments are potentially more successful, less invasive and less expensive. To date, the V Foundation has funded more than $3.8 million in early detection research. The Voices for Victory panel will discuss the impact of early detection and the importance of funding cancer research. Moderators are: Bill Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins and ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg. Panelists are: Matthew Miller, M.D., from UVA Health; Ashwani Rajput, M.D., director of Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center for the National Capital Region; V Foundation grant recipient and gynecologic oncologist Stephanie Sullivan, M.D.; NBA reporter/analyst and co-host of ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption,” Michael Wilbon; and former professional basketball player and U.S. Congressman Tom McMillen.
The auction dinner will be hosted by former star Washington quarterback, Joe Theismann, alongside auctioneer and Tony Award-winning performer Christian Hoff. Jamie Valvano, motivational speaker and daughter of legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, will present the inaugural Virginia Vine Visionary Award to managing principal owner and vice chairman of the Washington Nationals, Mark D. Lerner. This award was created to recognize individuals who show exemplary commitment to the V Foundation’s mission of defeating cancer while also exhibiting Jim Valvano’s “Don’t Ever Give Up!” spirit.
“I am excited to return as host of the Virginia Vine auction dinner,” said Theismann. “Every year, this event grows – we raise more money for cancer research, and we learn even more about the great work of the V Foundation. I can’t wait to spend an evening with Christian, Jamie and Mark and all the guests as we work to fulfill Jimmy V’s goal to end cancer!”
Sponsors of the event include three Mission Partners: University of Virginia Cancer Center; VCU Massey Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins Medicine, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additional sponsors include Stone Tower Winery, McGuireWoods LLP and the Washington Speakers Bureau.
The V Foundation holds 11 consecutive 4-star (highest) ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, making the Foundation among the top 2% of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation is also a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity.
For more information about the V Foundation, Virginia Vine, or to donate, please visit v.org.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded nearly $290 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Event proceeds benefit cancer research funded by the V Foundation. The Foundation awards game-changing grants through a competitive process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation, please visit v.org.
