ESPN’s fourth annual ESPY Day to benefit the V Foundation raised $5.2 million for cancer research, including $2.6 million that will be directed to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, which encourages cutting-edge research for minority populations suffering from cancer. This year’s fundraising total surpassed last year’s total with an overall 32% increase. To date, ESPY-related fundraising efforts have totaled over $30 million.

ESPY Day — a day-long fundraising drive across multiple ESPN platforms — included the 13th annual ESPN Radio ESPY Day Auction, the 17th annual ESPY Celebrity Golf Outing and the third annual Sports Humanitarian Awards. During ESPY Day, ESPN highlighted heartfelt vignettes by talent discussing their experiences with cancer from Rod Gilmore, Holly Rowe, Lisa Kerney and David Lloyd. The ESPY Day Auction featured one-of-a-kind experiences, such as the chance to announce a pick at the 2018 NFL Draft and the chance to shadow Adam Schefter in Bristol for a day.

The 2017 Sports Humanitarian Awards increased its fundraising from last year by 50% to $1.75 million, which included a $500,000 presenting sponsorship from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Additionally, Bristol-Myers Squibb made a $2.5 million grant to the V Foundation that the organization plans to use for investment in the advancement of pediatric immuno-oncology research. Other contributions included $708,000 raised during the ESPY Celebrity Golf Outing, $571,900 by the ESPY Day Radio Auction, as well as donations made by the public and those directly from ESPN employees.

President of ESPN, John Skipper stated, “I’m grateful to Bristol-Myers Squibb, whose charitable contribution to the V Foundation, including support of the Sports Humanitarian Awards, helped push this year’s fundraising efforts to be one of our best ever.”

About ESPN Corporate Citizenship
ESPN believes that, at its very best, sports uplifts the human spirit. Its corporate citizenship programs use the 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.

About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research is dedicated to declaring victory over cancer. It 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 funded more than $170 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. Not a Moment to Lose, its boldest fundraising campaign to date, aims to raise $200 million for cancer research by 2020 to help transform the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process vetted by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

ESPN Contact: Josh Krulewitz at (860) 766-2319; [email protected]; @jksports
Belen Michelis at (860) 766-1425; [email protected] @belen_espn