ESPN and the V Foundation are in the midst of holding the 18th annual V Week for Cancer Research, which brings awareness and encourages donations in order to fund life-saving cancer research. The network aired the ESPYs speech given by legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach Jim Valvano, during which he implored attendees never to give up. Dick Vitale gave a speech in 2022 when he won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance where he articulated the importance of raising money for research and how he always remembers Valvano’s words.
Vitale, a longtime college basketball analyst for ESPN, has been fighting several health battles over the last few years, facing lymphoma, melanoma, vocal cord dysplasia and vocal cord cancer. Vitale shared that he was cancer-free in June following six weeks of radiation treatment, but shortly thereafter, a biopsy on the lymph node in his neck came back as cancerous. He underwent surgery the following week and has continued to undergo treatments. ESPN aired a video tribute to Vitale during its broadcast of the Miami-Arkansas game on Tuesday night, and he subsequently provided a personal update on social media.
“I am touched tonight seeing this video from my buddies at ESPN,” Vitale said. “I’m constantly thinking about Dec. 12 when I have a major scan to determine if I’m cancer free after my recent 30 radiation treatments. If I am it would be my NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!”
Vitale has previously stated his desire to return behind the microphone again, and he received several standing ovations from college basketball crowds while calling games amid the 2022 season. The longtime analyst became a member of the network shortly after its launch in September 1979 following a successful coaching career in collegiate and professional basketball. Vitale was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008, and he received the Humanitarian Award and inducted into the Broadcasting + Cable Hall of Fame this past September. Moreover, he is a member of the board of directors for The V Foundation and hosts an annual gala in Florida to benefit the nonprofit.
ESPN has helped raise over $237 million for the V Foundation as it looks to end cancer, and all of the funds raised throughout this endeavor will be directed towards cancer research. This year’s iteration of V Week features a look into the impact of cancer within the world of sports and highlighting the importance of research and support systems for those afflicted.
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