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More than $911,000 was raised for cancer research as a result of the third annual Jimmy V Week, Dec. 2-8, 2009.  It was announced by Nick Valvano, Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation, and George Bodenheimer, President of ESPN and ABC Sports and a V board member. 

The week-long initiative featured content across ESPN platforms to drive donations during the week and through December. The V Foundation awards 100% of these donations directly to cancer research. The previous two years the initiative raised $700,000 to $750,000.

Valvano said, “I’m continually in awe of the commitment of George Bodenheimer and the ESPN employees to growing awareness and funds for The V Foundation and cancer research. This is a significant increase in a challenging economy. It’s a tribute to these ESPN efforts and the many great fans who join our V family.”

Jimmy V Week began with a simulcast of Jim Valvano’s now famous 1993 ESPYs Awards speech across 11 ESPN media platforms as well as the ABC SuperSign in Times Square and every television in the Nokia Plaza in the Los Angeles LA Live complex. The week concluded with the Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic (Rutgers beat Florida 51-38) and Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic doubleheader from Madison Square Garden (Georgetown defeated Butler 72-65 and Indiana beat Pittsburgh 74-64).

As part of a Team ESPN initiative, employees companywide volunteered for several months to develop creative Jimmy V Week content applications and to implement the strategy.  In 2009, ESPN employees helped raise more than $3 million for cancer research through a variety of events.

Coming Up: 

February Frenzy

ESPN will be hosting its third annual February Frenzy women’s college basketball initiative with 20 games Feb. 14-15 in support of women’s cancer research and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund in conjunction with The V Foundation. The initiative also honors the memory of Kay Yow, who passed away January 24, 2009. In December 2007, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, in collaboration with Coach Yow and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, established the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Show Your Spirit

In addition, through Team ESPN and The V Foundation’s ninth annual “Show Your Spirit!”® campaign, fans, companies, organizations and schools nationwide can simultaneously show support for their favorite teams and join the important fight against cancer from March 18 to April 6.

The V Foundation

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $90 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received seven consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

Team ESPN

Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach programs including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN, its employees, and its fans work together to make a difference in our world and the communities in which we work. Team ESPN… Fans Helping Fans ® www.teamespn.com.

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