ESPN Sets All-Time Record Helping Raise Over $8.8M for the V Foundation for Cancer Research during ESPN’s 13th Annual V Week

Corporate Citizenship

ESPN Sets All-Time Record Helping Raise Over $8.8M for the V Foundation for Cancer Research during ESPN’s 13th Annual V Week

Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter February 4, 2020

With the help of sports fans, employees, leagues and the corporate community, ESPN’s 13th annual V Week for Cancer Research set a new record, helping raise more than $8.8 million for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. That represents a 6% year-over-year increase.

“We broke the V Week record thanks to the passion of those who work on the various initiatives here at ESPN, as well as support from the Disney TV networks, and the generous response from fans,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “In particular the new aspects of V Week, including a campaign with Andy Grammer and Stuart Scott Day, connected with viewers and drove awareness and donations.”

“ESPN has done it again,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “V Week 2019 was simply extraordinary thanks to ESPN and their loyal, generous fans. Every dollar helps lead to breakthroughs and advances our mission to declare Victory Over Cancer!”

This year, ESPN engaged new partners and created innovative fundraising and awareness-building campaigns and promotions which educated fans on the importance of cancer research including these new initiatives:

  • “Don’t Give Up on Me” Anthem: Multi-platinum selling pop artist Andy Grammer invested in the mission to find a cure for cancer, having lost his mother to breast cancer. Grammer’s song “Don’t Give Up on Me” fit with the themes of fighting adversity, supporting a loved one, having hope in dark times and ultimately not giving up, as seen in the new V Week PSA.
  • Stuart Scott Day: $333,000 raised during V Week will benefit the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund, which supports cancer research for disparities among minority populations. A special, limited edition Stuart Scott “Boo-Yah” t-shirt raised over $100,000 for the Stuart Scott Fund. Additionally, ESPN honored its former colleague Stuart Scott who lost the fight against cancer five years ago.

Over the past 13 years, V Week fundraising has totaled over $39 million for cancer research. V Week is one of the two major fundraisers that ESPN conducts for the V Foundation each year. To date, ESPN has helped raise over $116 million dollars for cancer research.

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. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $250 million in cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation awards 100% of direct donations to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation’s endowment covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit v.org. 

About ESPN Corporate Citizenship
ESPN believes that, at its very best, sports uplifts 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.

 

-30-

 

Tags
Photo of Dave Nagle Dave Nagle Follow on Twitter February 4, 2020
Photo of Dave Nagle

Dave Nagle

As I write this on 11-11-21, it's now 35 years for me at ESPN, the only real job I’ve ever had. I joined merely to help with the upcoming America’s Cup in Australia. I was told it would be for three months at all of $5.50 per hour. I like to say I simply kept showing up. I’ve worked on almost every sport, plus answered viewer calls and letters (people used to write!), given tours, written the company newsletter and once drove NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon to the local airport. My travels have been varied…I’ve been to Martinsville, Darlington, Indy and Super Bowls; the America’s Cup (all 3) in San Diego and College GameDay in the sport’s meccas such as Eugene, Auburn, Lubbock, Stillwater and more; the NBA Finals, Wimbledon (16 times and counting) and the “other Bristol,” the one with a race track in Tennessee. These days, my main areas are tennis, UFC, boxing, network-wide ratings (by month/quarter/year), and corporate communications documents, including fact sheets, chronologies, lists and nearly 35 of the Year in Review press releases. UPDATE EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER: Today, November 11, 2022, I am retiring from ESPN -- 36 years to the day I began. As I ride off into the sunset – top down and E Street Radio blaring – I do so with so many wonderful memories, proud of my contributions and a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity. 
Back to top button