ESPN is encouraging fans to help support cancer research during its V Week for Cancer Research. Starting on Giving Tuesday, November 27 and running through December 8, ESPN will host a drive for awareness and funds across their platforms.
What’s happening:
- For a 12th consecutive year, ESPN’s V Week for Cancer Research will drive awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research across ESPN platforms.
- Beginning on November 27, and running through December 8 ESPN will host this special drive with all proceeds going directly to cancer research and related programs.
- Last year, V Week raised a record $4.5 million, bringing the 11-year total of contributions to more than $22.2 million.
- The 2018 V Week will feature three new initiatives to raise funds for the V Foundation:
Kicks to Beat Cancer (November 26-December 6):
- ESPN commentator and professional athletes are putting their “kicks” to good use by reaching into their extensive shoe collections and donating a signed pair to be auctioned off in support of the V Foundation.
- NBA and WNBA stars past and present have donated their shoes, including:
- Kobe Bryant
- DeMarcus Cousins
- Stephen Curry
- Kevin Durant
- Joel Embiid
- Kyrie Irving
- Damian Lillard
- Boban Marjanovic
- Candace Parker
- Chris Paul
- Paul Pierce
- Scottie Pippen
- Tracy McGrady
- Jalen Rose
- PJ Tucker
- NBA host Michelle Beadle
- Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim
- Duke Head Coach and Hall of Famer, Mike Krzyzewski
Craig Sager Style Day (November 29-30):
- In honor of famed sports reporter Craig Sager, who lost his battle with cancer in 2016, ESPN, NBA on TNT and NBA TV on-air commentators will wear jackets and clothing that capture Craig’s signature “Sager Style.”
- The two-day initiative celebrating Sager’s love of life and outrageous fashion will be featured on the NBA doubleheader, Rockets at Spurs (Friday, November 30 at 8 pm ET) and Nuggets at Blazers (Friday, November 30 at 10:30 pm).
- In addition, two of Sager’s own game-worn jackets will be up for auction.
- Fans can bid on both the shoes and jackets at www.ebay.com/espn.
WeRateDogs “h*ck cancer” Campaign (November 27-December 8):
- Sports fans love their dogs, and ESPN hopes to harness that passion by teaming up with WeRateDogs to drive awareness to the V Foundation’s canine comparative oncology initiative and highlight dogs who are currently fighting cancer.
- WeRateDogs has created custom merchandise with the slogan “h*ck cancer” and will donate 100% of net proceeds from these sales to the V Foundation.
- Also during V Week, NFL Countdown will highlight one very special pair of shoes showcasing the V Foundation as part of the NFL’s ‘My Cause My Cleats’ program. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins will sport the V Foundation cleats during the Week 13 match up vs. the Oakland Raiders.
Additional V Week programming includes:
- Jim Valvano’s ESPYS Speech Roadblock
- “Cancer Is” Campaign
- The Jimmy V Basketball Classics
- The Jimmy V Men’s and Women’s Basketball Classics Presented by Corona will begin with the Women’s Classic on Sunday, December 2, followed by the Men’s Classic on Tuesday, December 4, all airing live on ESPN:
- 2: No. 1 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 UConn, 4 pm at the University of Notre Dame
- 4: Notre Dame vs. Oklahoma, 7 pm at Madison Square Garden
- West Virginia vs. Florida, 9 pm at Madison Square Garden
- The Jimmy V Men’s and Women’s Basketball Classics Presented by Corona will begin with the Women’s Classic on Sunday, December 2, followed by the Men’s Classic on Tuesday, December 4, all airing live on ESPN:
What they’re saying:
- Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship: “The 2018 V Week is set up to be our best yet as we impose some serious style into our fundraising efforts — celebrating the legendary panache of the 2016 V Perseverance Award winner Craig Sager and giving sports fans access to some very impressive shoes from the top stars in basketball. We’re excited to once again use ESPN’s reach and resources to bring ever-important funds and awareness for cancer research.”
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
- The V Foundation for Cancer Research is dedicated to declaring victory over cancer.
- ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator, founded it in 1993.
- The Foundation has funded more than $225 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, please visit www.jimmyv.org.