The V Foundation for Cancer Research and family members representing Stuart Scott announced a new cancer research fund to honor the memory of Stuart Scott. The Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund will help continue Stuart’s fight against cancer and assist some of the most vulnerable and disproportionately impacted communities battling this horrible disease. The fund is being launched this week in loving remembrance of the longtime ESPN anchor who recently passed away, following his valiant fight against cancer. Even near the end of his life, Stuart was a champion for cancer research and was involved in a clinical trial himself. He was a passionate voice for improving outcomes for African Americans and other minorities with cancer.
Those wishing to contribute to the fund should visit this link: www.jimmyv.org/stuartscott
Stuart’s sister, Susan Scott, shared, “It was not lost on Stuart that his diligence and education about cancer research helped extend his life. Stuart’s passion for education was unmatched. He researched every aspect of his treatment to live with and beat cancer. His research revealed cancer’s disparities and the inequities faced in the African American and Hispanic cancer-fighting communities. I know that he would be proud that The V Foundation is setting up this fund in his name to accelerate research for all communities.”
There are many examples of cancer disparities among minority populations in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent data, black men have the highest cancer incidence rates, and black men and women both have a higher cancer death rate than their white counterparts. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics, accounting for 21 percent of deaths overall and 15 percent of deaths in children. The Stuart Scott Memorial Fund will catalyze cutting edge research designed to answer questions such as, why some cancers are more aggressive and more fatal in African Americans.
Initially, V Scholar Grants and Translational Research Grants will be funded. The V Scholar Grants are awarded to young, stellar investigators developing their own independent laboratory research projects. These “rising star” scientists will each receive $200,000 over a two-year period. Translational Grants, which are three-year and $600,000 commitments, strive to bring the cancer-fighting results found in test tubes to patients more quickly and efficiently. This new fund will support scholars and research dedicated to the untimely death, aggressiveness, therapeutic responsiveness and ultimate outcomes experienced by cancer patients from different ethnic populations.
“Cancer is more than 100 individual diseases,” said Susan Braun, CEO of The V Foundation. “As research accelerates our knowledge, we recognize how varied each individual cancer is, and how the same type of cancer can vary among different people. Many cancers pose more of a problem in different ethnic groups, and cancer overall affects diverse populations in complex ways. Translational research will target these issues. We also know that innovation happens with diversity of thought. Funding V Scholars, the brightest minds in cancer research, through supporting people who are part of disproportionately affected communities, can make research stronger.”
Braun continued, “The Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund will help fund and identify cancer research and individual researchers that bring the exciting advances in the current research environment to these difficult, real-time cancer tragedies.”
A dedicated friend of The V Foundation, Scott was a strong advocate for cancer research and an inspiration to all. As a committed participant in the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classicand other Foundation events, Scott’s powerful spirit, volunteerism and advocacy helped raise funds and awareness for The V Foundation for more than 20 years. Scott was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007. From that moment, sports fans, his peers and iconic athletes from around the world supported him in his battle. Awarded the ‘Jim Valvano Perseverance Award’ at the 2014 ESPY Awards, Scott epitomized Valvano’s message, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up!”® While giving his speech at the ESPYS, Stuart added these words that will help thousands in their fight against cancer. “Live and fight like hell and when you get too tired to fight … let someone else fight for you.”
With an initial donation of $100,000 from ESPN, made in Stuart’s memory, The V Foundation has established a page on their website, www.jimmyv.org/stuartscott, for donations to be made for the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
“Stuart inspired others by how courageously he battled cancer,” said ESPN President John Skipper. “He and I talked about this horrible disease and opportunities he saw to expand the scope of research being done. He was taken from us way too young, and given what he stood for and what he clearly meant to so many, this fund is a fitting way to honor his legacy and significantly add to what he did so valiantly – fight cancer.”
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 basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $130 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. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process vetted by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.