A V Foundation SPORE Clinical Trial Supplement Grant Awarded To The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

(Cary, N.C.)--- The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research fundraising organizations, announced that a Supplement to the Lung Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant to support innovative clinical trials was recently awarded to Dr. Jill M. Siegfried at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. The $1 million grant was given in honor of Emily Miner, a 39 year old mother of two who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer.  Miner received the grant in her honor at the 2009 V Foundation Wine Celebration.

Coach K took the stage for the 11th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration raising a total of $2.25 million for critical cancer research. The event, a signature fundraiser for The V Foundation, has raised more than $32 million in the Napa Valley. Gathered under a gossamer blue and green tent accented by hundreds of orchids in the courtyard of  Nickel & Nickel winery, 440 guests were treated to an inspiring speech by Duke Coaching Legend Mike “K” Krzyzewski who shared his personal experiences at the 2008 Olympics, and fond memories  of his friend Jim Valvano, urging everyone in the room to bid big,  “...because cancer doesn’t recognize a recession.” He reminded  everyone that the time to step up is when a team is challenged. 

“Clearly it’s a challenging year for fundraising,” shares Bob Lloyd, Chairman of The V Foundation. “But we have an incredible team, and it’s a pretty powerful thing to be able to tell people that every cent of their donation will be applied directly to cancer research. Jim said,  “Don’t give up…don’t ever give up,” and come what may, until we’ve uncovered a cure we won’t.  After a decade of that kind of commitment, our donors know we’re very serious and are willing to come back and pledge their support.”  and coMe they did! Returning after an Olympic Gold Medal win in Beijing, popular Wine Celebration host, and Head Coach of Men’s Basketball at Duke University Mike Krzyzewski

Mike Krzyzewski and his wife Mickie joined celebrity guests, Steve Bornstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NFL Network, Donna Orender, President, WNBA, Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns, Mike Tirico of Monday Night Football and NBA Basketball, Mike Fratello TNT NBA basketball color commentator, Steve Lavin, former UCLA coach and ESPN commentator, Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame coach and current ESPN/ABC commentator, and Lesley Visser, the first woman to receive the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Peter Rozelle Radio- Television Award.

The two day event featured elegant dinners at Caymus Vineyards, Del Dotto Vineyards, Frank Family Vineyards, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Rudd Winery & Vineyards and Vineyard 29, and culminated in a glorious gala at Nickel & Nickel Winery with a private performance by The Pointer Sisters.

“Mutual commitment helps overcome the fear of failure —
especially when people are part of a team sharing and achieving goals.”

— Mike Krzyzewski

A Message from the Chairman

Bob Lloyd, V Foundation Chairman

Bob Lloyd is the founding Chairman of The V Foundation and a co-founder of the V Foundation Wine Celebration in Napa Valley. Bob and Jimmy V were best friends, and it was Bob who promised Jim that The V Foundation would succeed, and be instrumental in finding cures for cancer.

Dear Friends,

Thank you to all who shared in the  extraordinary 11th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration event on August 7 & 8th and for being part of our winning  team! The weekend was a huge success with all of our generous donations garnering an impressive $2,255,850 with 100% of every dollar going towards cancer research. Our guests celebrated throughout the weekend at lavish vintner dinners and outdoor wine receptions. 

And of course, everyone was elated to witness personal story telling from our host Coach K, as well as bidding on the many luxury auction lots at Nickel & Nickel during the Gala event. The evening was particularly memorable as the 440 attendees honored our Vintners Grant recipient, Emily Miner by rising over $700,000 for Lung Cancer Research.  It seems that each year the event receives more and more positive feedback as people immerse themselves in the wine country life-style and revel in the reunion spirit it exudes, all the while raising money for cancer research. 

NEW YORK (June 1, 2009) — The Breeders' Cup today announced it has selected The V Foundation for Cancer Research as its primary non-profit beneficiary for the 26th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, to be held November 6-7 at Santa Anita Park located in Arcadia, Calif. The Breeders' Cup has set a goal to raise a minimum of $100,000 for The V Foundation, the organization founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano in 1993.

A Message from the Chairman

Bob Lloyd, V Foundation Chairman

Bob Lloyd has been Chairman of The V Foundation since 1999. Bob and Jimmy V were best friends, college roommates, teammates, and served in the military together. Bob was among the group of Jim’s closest friends who promised him that The V Foundation would succeed and be instrumental in finding cures for cancer. 

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the V Foundation Wine Celebration Board, I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the success of this year ’s 10th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration in beautiful Napa Valley. Because of your generosity this past August, $3.9 million was raised in our fight to find a cure for cancer. You fully funded the $1M Pediatric Fund-A-Need grant at UCSF for neuroblastoma. Thanks again to everyone. Your donations are truly meaningful.

Since the V Foundation Endowment has been fully funded, again thanks to your continued generosity, all of the funds raised in August 2008 will go towards grants so that we can help find cures for cancer. There are very few foundations that give 100 cents on every dollar towards research grants. We are pleased that The V Foundation can award these funds to the best and brightest researchers who the V Foundation Scientific Review Committee feel have the best opportunity to make an impact on curing cancer.