The Duke men’s basketball program is teaming up with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), the V Foundation for Cancer Research and Duke Children’s for its second annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer. The event, set for Saturday, Oct. 7 on Duke’s campus, will raise funds for pediatric cancer research through the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer, a specialized grant fund at the V Foundation.
Registration and festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, with the welcome ceremony set for 10 a.m., and Dribble for Victory Over Cancer starting at 10:15 a.m. The Dribble will start and end at the Bostock Gate of Wallace Wade Stadium. Participants will dribble alongside the Duke men’s basketball players in a one-mile loop around the athletic campus.
For more information and to register, click here.
“My wife Marcelle and I are excited to be part of this incredible event again and we can’t wait to see our Duke fans on October 7,” said head men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer. “These organizations are so meaningful to our program, and we thank the V Foundation, Duke Children’s and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation for the work they do in eradicating childhood cancer.”
The event is now in its 16th year nationally and has raised more than $2 million in the fight against pediatric cancer. After starting at UCLA and St. John’s, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has partnered with the V Foundation to expand The Dribble to other campuses, with Duke participating this year for the second time.
“We are fighting for the future of kids with cancer and hope to ignite the Blue Devil community to engage with us again this year,” said Jeri Wilson, Executive Director, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, the organization which pioneered this event for the past 16 years before partnering with the V Foundation to expand the program in 2021. “Together, we can fund research that could lead to the next breakthrough in pediatric cancer treatment.”
September is pediatric cancer awareness month. In the U.S., 47 children are diagnosed with cancer every day. While survival rates have increased due to research, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease in children 19 years and younger. Severe underinvestment in research has inhibited scientific advancement, leaving most pediatric cancer patients with decades-old treatment options, many of which are too toxic for developing young bodies.
About the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
Determined to transform pediatric cancer care via accelerating research breakthroughs, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has one goal: to make it possible for all children facing childhood cancer to beat their disease and realize their full potential. Overseen by scientific thought leaders, its rigorous and competitive process for awarding research grants has contributed to pivotal advancements in the areas of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Immunotherapy/CAR T cells, Osteosarcoma, Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity and has been ranked as an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau. Its actions and commitment are encapsulated in its inspiring motto: Powering Cures, Realizing Futures. For more information, please visit www.PCRF-kids.org or follow us @PCRF_KIDS.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $310 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
About Duke Children’s
Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center is ranked among the top children’s hospitals nationally in nine specialties by U.S. News & World Report. Every year thousands of children are treated at Duke Children’s for a wide range of medical conditions, from common childhood illnesses to life-threatening diseases. Our staff of outstanding physicians and healthcare professionals bring a deep sense of dedication to delivering the finest care to each and every one of our patients. The research we accomplish saves and enhances the lives of many more thousands of young people who may never set foot inside any of our facilities, but who will benefit from a novel surgical technique perfected by Duke pediatric surgeons, a vaccine that Duke pediatric immunologists were among the first to test, or a new diagnostic technology refined for use in children.
Duke Children’s Hospital is a “hospital within a hospital” within Duke Central Tower and Duke University Hospital. It contains pediatric and neonatal intensive care units. The Duke Children’s Health Center includes specialty clinics, a pediatric endoscopy and procedure suite, a pediatric perioperative suite, an outpatient pharmacy, and the Jim Valvano Day Hospital for children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy and other outpatient infusions.
