Since it was founded in 1993, the V Foundation for Cancer Research has raised over $353 million for cancer research grants across the United States and is among the preeminent organizations involved in the space. Founded by former ESPN analyst and championship-winning basketball coach Jim Valvano, the organization ensures that 100% of its direct contributions support cancer research from scientists investigating different types of cancer in all stages of its progression. In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of ESPN host Stuart Scott’s enduring ESPYS speech in which he implored audience members to “Fight Like Hell,” all donations up to $75,000 will be matched to benefit the V Foundation’s Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
Shane Jacobson, the chief executive officer of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, is preparing for the ESPY Awards tomorrow from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. The event will be hosted by 23-time Grand Slam women’s champion Serena Williams and include presenters and attendees from the sports and entertainment industries. Jacobson discussed the significance of the foundation recognizing the impact of Scott during an appearance on ESPN Radio’s UnSportsmanLike show on Wednesday morning.
“We appreciate all the work that ESPN does to shine a spotlight on cancer and cancer research, and this year was critically important for us to dial in more deeply into the legacy that is Stuart Scott,” Jacobson said. “Obviously a Hall of Fame broadcaster and SportsCenter host at ESPN. His legacy continues though, given the priority that he lived his life through, which is, ‘Fight. Fight like hell,’ and that message rings true, and so our ability to focus on cancer health disparities exclusively through the ESPYS this week is absolutely important”
Jacobson expressed his disappointment in that cancer remains a serious problem, stating that more Black men and Black women are being diagnosed with cancer and have higher mortality rates than their white counterparts. He expressed that cancer is awful for all communities but presents a particular challenge in Black communities. The V Foundation, he said, is doing something about it and leading in the space.
“A hundred cents on every dollar goes through the V Foundation to these researchers, and through these researchers, we connect with so many families that are going through the fight and the inspiration that is the, ‘Don’t give up, don’t ever give up’ spirit,” Jacobson said. “[It] is something that we know matters because it’s a fight. It is a fight against an opponent, cancer, and that fighting spirit, I think, rings true, and it proves itself over and over again.”
Upon the founding of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, Jacobson said that cancer survivorship has improved by 33 percentage points. Additionally, more than 4 million people remain alive today because of that cancer research, further underscoring the importance of the V Foundation and its mission.
The ESPY Awards will air live on Thursday, July 11 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and help raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. ESPN has helped in raising over $200 million for the V Foundation over the past 31 years and also has current and former employees on its board of directors, including Jimmy Pitaro, Steve Bornstein, George Bodenheimer, Rita Ferro, Jay Bilas, Sage Steele, Norby Williamson and Dick Vitale. Jacobson revealed news of a special part of the awards show that will air on Thursday pertaining to the V Foundation for Cancer Research within his interview as well.
“I’m not going to give away the exact announcement yet – you’ll have to tune in – [Serena Williams is] going to be making an announcement in this space of cancer health disparities with a partner of the V Foundation,” Jacobson said. “It is going to be a record-setting announcement which will be an investment in the spirit of Stuart Scott in the need to address cancer health disparities. We can’t wait for her to share the big news.”
