SURVIVE AND ADVANCE
Directed by Jonathan Hock

ESPN’s newest 30 for 30 documentary, entitled “Survive and Advance” will premier this Sunday night, March 17th, at 9 pm Eastern on ESPN. In 1983, Jim Valvano, for whom The V Foundation is named, coached the North Carolina State men’s basketball team to an improbable national championship. 10 years later, he lost his life to cancer. Produced by team captain and V Foundation Board member, Dereck Whittenberg, Survive and Advance tells the story of this win, the team that did it, the coach who lost his hard-fought battle with cancer. It is a gripping story of unmatched athletic triumph, and ultimately of love and loss.

The movie will air on ESPN’s channels throughout the rest of March and April. It will also air on Saturday night, April 6th at 4 pm Eastern on ABC. Learn more about the movie here.

See the original article at http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/events/2013/030413a.shtml

(L to R) CEO of the V Foundation Susan Braun, President Emeritus of the V Foundation Nicholas Valvano, FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant, Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, Chief of Department Edward Kilduff and First Deputy Commissioner Don Shacknai.

Members of the FDNY were honored to partner with representatives from the V Foundation for Cancer Research at FDNY Headquarters on March 4 to announce that the Foundation is bestowing a $1 million grant to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to study early detection of hematological cancers that effect first responders.

“Right now, there are too many of our members fighting this disease,” Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said. “And we know there will be far too many more that will develop cancer from their work, and ultimately, many who may lose their lives. That’s why this grant means so much to every single member of this Department.”

Chief of Department Edward Kilduff added, “This is a terrific organization with one goal, to raise money for cancer research, to help people. So to be selected by them for this grant is very special.”

The FDNY’s medical offices have provided medical care to more than 16,000 FDNY members who worked at the World Trade Center site since 2001. These doctors were the first to recognize respiratory disease in those who worked at the site as well as document a spike in certain cancers occurring in this group.

The V Foundation has funded more than $100 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation distributes grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board.

Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano addresses the group.

The group says they hope the funding of this research will lead to earlier detection of blood-related cancers, resulting in increased survival rates for FDNY members and the public overall.

“This is a great day for the Department,” FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant said. “Thank you to the V Foundation for their unending commitment to our members.”

At the ceremony, many FDNY members referenced the plaque in the lobby of Headquarters that currently holds the names of 64 FDNY members who have lost their lives due to illnesses, including cancer, that were directly related to their work at the World Trade Center site.

And just feet away from where the ceremony was held is the plaque for Fire Marshal Steve Mosiello, who responded to the World Trade Center tragedy with Chief of Department Peter Ganci. FM Mosiello died from an aggressive form of cancer he developed due to his work at the site.

“We take this battle personally,” Nicholas Valvano, President Emeritus of the V Foundation, said. “There is a need here that just cried out. This is an important project for me, the FDNY and society as a whole.”

The announcement came on the 20^th anniversary of the start of the V Foundation.

“This is all about giving back and prevention,” CEO of the V Foundation, Susan Braun said. “This is something that’s close to our hearts. We’re working together to save lives.”

NEWS
Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts to Join The V Foundation’s Board of Directors

May 22, 2012

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research foundations, is excited to announce that Robin Roberts has been named as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Roberts, a cancer survivor herself, has been co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America” since 2005.

“From standing in the wings following Jim and his inspirational ESPY speech to observing the great work of The Foundation, I am truly honored to serve on the Board,” said Roberts.

Roberts, a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, has been a broadcast journalist since 1983. She spent time at local news affiliates throughout the Southeast prior to beginning a fifteen year career with ESPN as a contributor between 1990 and 2005. Subsequently, Roberts took her post at “Good Morning America.” Since joining the show as co-anchor, the broadcast has been awarded three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program. In June of 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer. She faced her diagnosis with courage and her ensuing battle has been recognized with honors and awards by various organizations throughout the country.

“From our inception, Robin has been a friend and supporter of The V Foundation,” said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation. “We are thrilled that Jim’s former colleague at ESPN has agreed to join our Board of Directors as we work to defeat this horrible disease.”

The Board of Directors for The V Foundation for Cancer Research was originally established in 1993. The Board is made up of business leaders, award-winning athletes and coaches, distinguished physicians and world-renowned entertainers. Their purpose is to provide governance to insure the sustainability and long-term effectiveness of The V Foundation while upholding its core principles.