Play.
Jimmy V spoke at the ESPYS.
Jim Valvano gave a famous speech at the ESPYS. (10:23)
8:44 AM
The V Foundation is committed to the fight against cancer. V Week is in November and December. There are 12. If you can, please donate to cancer research by visiting V.org/donate.
Art Korney will never forget the day his son was diagnosed with cancer.
Coleton Korney was diagnosed with a type of cancer. Art Korney got a phone call after his son was diagnosed.
Korney said that he was an absolute low of our lives. "He said, 'This is Dick Vitale.' We're here to help.
Dick Vitale is synonymous with college basketball.
He's been with the network since 1979. He was the first person to call a college basketball game.
Vitale has been involved with the fight against cancer for as long as he has been on TV. He helped Jim Valvano get to the ESPYS stage.
Dick Vitale is a doctor.
Vitale was at the beginning of the V Foundation.
Vitale has made personal connections with cancer patients and their families and helped them confront their lives with cancer and thrive in their lives after it, more than driving donations and lending his name and celebrity to the cause of cancer research.
Korney said that the hope that he brought to the unknown lifted your spirits and gave you hope.
Vince Grande's son was diagnosed with Leukemia at three and a half years old. "That's what we want for cancer patients, to continue research." Dick took us to his home. It's not just about cancer, it's also about life.
Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma in October and will have six months of treatment. He knew what that meant.
Vitale said in a statement that he has seen the devastation that cancer can have on families, children and loved ones. It can bring you to your knees. It's tiring. It robs you of many things, including life itself for some patients. I feel lucky because I never lose sight of that.
College hoops season has begun and so has the #Vstrongbaby, a social media campaign to show your support for DickieV as he battles cancer.
>
We're here for you, Dickie V.
November 10, 2021.
Vitale's impact is almost palpably felt by those who have been helped by him and the work of the V Foundation: Children and their families, who have faced the horrors of pediatric cancer and are now living life after Vitale's impact is almost palpably felt by They are the next generation of cancer fighters.
Elain Grande said that some kids want to be rock stars. My son wants to be a doctor.
After four years of treatment for cancer, Enzo Grande was declared cancer free.
Mikari Tarpley was diagnosed with cancer at the same time as COVID-19. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in March of 2020 at the age of 16. Tarpley, an actress and Broadway performer, was kept away from her friends during the Pandemic because of her treatment. She received support from other cancer patients.
Tarpley said that cancer needs to be destroyed.
The treatment was hard. It was terrible. This is ten times better because of the support people give. It didn't feel bad even though I was sick and tired all the time. Something about that support and feeling loved up.
Grande and Tarpley wanted to find ways to help cancer patients, especially children, when they were going through their treatment.
It's difficult going through cancer. You don't want to see a child suffer. Grande, who is now 13 and cancer free, said she doesn't want anyone to go through that. I experienced it. I know how kids feel. It's important to think about what kids go through when they're young.
Dick Vitale and Chris Fowler were at the Vitale Gala.
Grande started a charity to help others. He borrowed the name from the World Wrestling Entertainment. He delivered donations and toys to patients in a children's hospital.
She would miss her 16th birthday party because of her treatment schedule. She asked for donations instead of a party and presents to benefit the center. She wanted to help people with diseases. They met Vitale.
Family friends connected the Grande and Korney families. Tarpley wrote a letter. With their own stories of how they are thriving and the compassion they have for other cancer patients, they joined a larger community there to fight cancer alongside them. The V Foundation and Vitale's annual Gala have been involved with each of them.
Vitale's Gala has raised over $44 million for cancer research. Cancer survivors like Tarpley, Grande and Korney would frequent the place before the Pandemic.
Korney, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14, said he was ecstatic when he saw so many sports players and coaches supporting cancer research. I was speechless. It was a huge honor to see all these people in this hall.
Grande said that the men want to help cancer research. I really wanted to do that. I want to be like Dick Vitale when I'm older. I would like to follow his legacy.
Grande wants Vitale to beat cancer the same way he did, because he thinks playing sports in the future might not be for him. Vitale's legacy with the V Foundation and as a champion for the cause of victory over cancer has left its mark.
Grande, Tarpley and Korney all said that Vitale's work inspired them. They have chosen to use their time to help others because of the cancer that has touched their lives.
Tarpley said that he could keep doing this work for the rest of his life. I want to keep doing it.
