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Tags: V Week

“It’s Bigger Than A Game”

On December 3, six of the nation’s best women’s basketball teams will compete in ESPN’s Jimmy V Women’s Classic.

This year, as Tennessee and South Carolina prepare to take the court, there is an added magnitude to the game.

In the past six months, the women’s basketball community has lost two longtime members after long fights with breast cancer – Nikki McCray-Penson and Tasha Butts. These women were entrenched in the women’s basketball community, playing at Tennessee before moving to professional basketball and coaching careers. Their fights inspired many, and the community rallied around them.

“We’ve been hit hard this summer,” said Tennessee women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper. “So, it’s really fitting that we are able to be the ones to tell the story. We’re the ones to step on the court and play in this big game, and to understand that sometimes, it’s bigger than a game.”

“Free Throws Win Ball Games”

When Connecticut men’s basketball star Donovan Clingan thinks of basketball and his mom, one particular story comes to mind.

He was in eighth grade playing travel basketball and his mom, Stacey Porrini Clingan, in the midst of cancer treatment, was in the stands. Donovan, a big man on the court even then and now 7-foot-3, was getting fouled continually throughout the game.

Stacey was an excellent player in her own time, enjoying stellar high school and collegiate careers at Bristol Central High School (Conn.) and the University of Maine, respectively, and recently inducted into the university’s Sports Hall of Fame. At 6-foot-4, she was a great athlete. She held the rebounding record at Bristol Central for years, until Donovan came along.

But, at that game in Donovan’s eighth grade year, Stacey was sure to let the referees know they were missing calls. She was standing up for her son.

“The refs weren’t making any calls and she actually ended up getting ejected out of the game from the stands,” Donovan said while smiling. “And that just showed you how much she cared about me.”

Basketball was their thing. And now, in her absence, it’s a way for him to stay connected to her.

Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 when Donovan was around six years old. She fought for a few years before the cancer went into remission. Donovan was young and didn’t fully see what was going on, but he knew his mom beat cancer, had started teaching again and was back to normal.

Then, about five years later, the cancer came back and spread. This time, being a young teenager, Donovan witnessed what his mom was going through. It was a long battle of doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, treatments and more.

Abbie Boutilier: Basketball Player, Sister, Friend, Caregiver

Before every Longhorns game, Abbie Boutilier looks to the stands for her parents and her twin sister, Paige. December 3 will be no different.

Abbie, a freshman on the University of Texas women’s basketball team, will join her teammates in taking on UConn in the annual Women’s Jimmy V Classic. To Abbie, this game means more than just the score.

“I think to me and my entire family, it means a lot. We’ve always been into research and giving back since it’s been 10 years since she’s been cancer free. I think at this point, it’s how can we give back as a family who have been through so much and share our experiences and help people get through it.”

The Boutilier family was impacted by cancer in ways they couldn’t have imagined. Just days after Abbie and Paige’s fourth birthday, Paige was diagnosed with leukemia. She underwent treatment, but being so young, there was a lot of confusion and anxiety about the unknown.

Three years later, in 2011, the cancer came back. This time, Abbie was old enough to comprehend what was going on.

ESPN & The V Foundation Announce 17th Annual V Week for Cancer Research

V Week is Supported Through Key Activations and Events Using the Power of Sport to Accelerate Victory Over Cancer®

As part of ESPN’s continued commitment to fundraise for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, ESPN’s 17th Annual V Week for Cancer Research will begin on GivingTuesday, Nov. 28, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 10. ESPN will drive awareness for the V Foundation and the legacy of Jim Valvano throughout its programming across platforms to encourage donations to fund life-saving cancer research. One hundred percent of all funds raised by ESPN will be directed to cancer research. To date, ESPN has helped raise nearly $200 million for the V Foundation in the fight to end cancer.

This year’s V Week will feature an array of storytelling around cancer research, survivorship and highlight iconic speeches on the importance of cancer research from Valvano, Dick Vitale, Robin Roberts and Stuart Scott. ESPN Radio will host a day-long takeover across its programming on GivingTuesday with simulcasts on ESPN2, with guests joining Unsportsmanlike (6 – 10 a.m. ET), Greeny (10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET), Carlin vs. Joe (12 – 3 p.m. ET), Freddie and Harry (4 – 7 p.m. ET), Amber and Ian (7 – 10 p.m. ET) and GameNight (10 p.m. – 1 a.m. ET)  to share their uplifting stories of hope and support in the fight against cancer.

“Thirty years ago, Jim Valvano gave his legendary speech to never give up in the fight against cancer, and to this day, ESPN is committed to that by continuing to raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation to support cancer research,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “From annual events such as the ESPN Roadblock and Jimmy V Classic to new initiatives such as the strategic collaboration with the NHL around Hockey Fights Cancer, collectively, we’re bringing more fans together to support the fight against cancer.”

V Week also will feature a crossover with Hockey Fights Cancer (HFC) – a joint initiative of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) powered by the V Foundation – to unite the hockey community in support of cancer patients and their families. The NHL will have a league-wide moment across its games and its social media platforms paying tribute to HFC Month on Nov. 30, with the New York Islanders facing the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+/Hulu. Additionally, ESPN will highlight HFC on Nov. 28, when the Philadelphia Flyers host their HFC Night against the Carolina Hurricanes at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Said V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson: “V Week allows us to spotlight the importance of cancer research each year across the entire sports landscape. There is no more fitting way to close out the year – especially the V Foundation’s 30th anniversary – where we granted the most in any single year in our history (nearly $43 million), than alongside our founding partner, ESPN. This team has helped bring Jim Valvano’s vision of Victory Over Cancer® to life since day one, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to lifesaving research.”

Today, there are 18.1 million cancer survivors living in the United States, and that number is expected to be 22.5 million by 2032. The V Foundation awards 100% of its direct donations to cancer research and programs and has proudly awarded over $353 million in grants nationwide for cutting-edge cancer research.

Viewers can join the fight through a variety of initiatives throughout the 2023 V Week Campaign (Nov. 28 – Dec. 10), including:

  • Entire V Week: Throughout V Week, fans will hear the familiar song, “Stronger Than You Know.” The song – written by singer/songwriter/producers Brandon Rogers and Nickolas Pingree and recorded by Disney Music Group and multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Allegra Miles – returns for 2023 to support the efforts of the V Foundation’s mission to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.
  • Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28): ESPN and the V Foundation will promote the importance of joining the fight to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® by further supporting the V Foundation’s funding of the best and brightest cancer researchers in the country. Messaging begins on ESPN Radio at 6 a.m. ET, and it continues throughout Giving Tuesday and V Week. Supporters can give at v.org/donate.
  • The ESPN Roadblock (Nov. 29): The Roadblock is a 15-minute special that features the timeless Jim Valvano 1993 ESPY speech as well as a tribute to his legacy and the impact of the V Foundation. Jamie Valvano, Robin Roberts, Dick Vitale and others reflect on Jim’s legacy and how it has impacted their lives and the lives of so many others. The Roadblock runs from 7-7:15 p.m. ET on Nov. 29 across nearly all ESPN networks and platforms.
  • Hockey Fights Cancer (Nov. 30): Earlier this year, the NHLPA, NHL and the V Foundation announced a strategic collaboration for the HFC initiative. On Nov. 30, the NHL will have a league-wide moment across games and social platforms paying tribute to HFC Month, including the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New York Islanders on ESPN+/Hulu. During V Week on Nov. 28, the Philadelphia Flyers will be on ESPN for their HFC Night.
  • Stuart Scott Fight Like Hell Night (Dec. 2): UFC is dedicating its fight on Dec. 2 to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund. Scott had a strong connection to mixed martial arts and trained during his treatments. Fight Like Hell Night will feature Stuart Scott-related content and personal cancer stories from the UFC community. UFC also will donate to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation.
  • The 29th Annual Jimmy V Classic (Dec. 3 and 5): This year, more teams than ever before will be featured within the women’s and men’s Jimmy V Classics on ESPN platforms. On Dec. 3, three women’s games will take place on campus sites, which are, No. 1 South Carolina at Duke at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, No. 11 UConn at No. 10 Texas at 3 p.m. ET on ABC and No. 16 Ohio State at No. 20 Tennessee at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. On Dec. 5 at Madison Square Garden, the men’s side will feature No. 13 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 24 Illinois at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by No. 17 North Carolina vs. No. 4 UConn at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
  • Boo-Yah: A Celebration of Stuart Scott (Dec. 4): In New York City, the V Foundation will host this signature event as a tribute to the late Stuart Scott. Funds raised at the event will benefit the Stuart Scott Fund dedicated to tackling racial disparities in cancer outcomes. The fund has raised nearly $16 million to date. Tickets are available at v.org.
  • My Cause, My Cleats (Dec. 3): In conjunction with the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats initiative, Josh Paschal of the Detroit Lions will dedicate his cleats to the V Foundation to show his passion for cancer research. Pascal has been a supporter of the V Foundation since his diagnosis at the University of Kentucky.
  • World Champions Cup (Dec. 7-10): The World Champions Cup is a first of its kind three-team, three-day stroke play golf tournament played at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL, that will bring major champions, Hall of Famers and legends of the game together each representing Team International, Team Europe and Team USA. A few notable competitors include: Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, and more. Coverage of the tournament will include feature stories, integrations and fundraising elements for the V Foundation. For more information go to WorldChampionsCup.com.

The V Foundation holds 12 consecutive 4-star (highest) ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, and is among the top 2% of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation also is a GuideStar Platinum Transparency rated charity.

For more information, visit the V Foundation’s website at v.org. The site amplifies the stories of impact of cancer research, the people leading this work and cancer thrivers who have benefitted from research to make progress towards the V Foundation’s vision of Victory Over Cancer®. Direct donations can be made at v.org/donate.

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 over $353 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.

About ESPN Corporate Citizenship
ESPN believes that, at its very best, sports uplift the human spirit. Its corporate citizenship programs use power of sport to positively address society’s needs through strategic community investments, cause marketing programs, collaboration with sports organizations and employee volunteerism, while also utilizing its diverse media assets. For more information go to www.espn.com/citizenship.

John R. Manzo
Based in New York City, John Manzo is a Communications Manager for ESPN with a focus on ESPN BET, sports betting, consumer marketing and corporate citizenship. He is a Michigan native, Detroit sports fan and proud Central Michigan University graduate.

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