"Don't Give Up...Don't Ever Give Up" The V Foundation

A problem that is trying to be cured in today's society is cancer. Cancer is a mean disease. It doesn’t discriminate; it can go to anyone. There are several types of deadly cancerous diseases. Some of the most known about cancers are breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer and skin cancer. This disease intrigues me because I have known people to die form cancer and it’s not pretty. There really needs to be a cure for this heart breaking demon. The V Foundation, named after legendary NC State coach Jimmy Valvano, is a charity about cancer awareness and treatment.

• About 1.6 million new cancer cases have been expected to be diagnosed in 2012.
• After being diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 46, Jim dreamed of finding cures for cancer
• As a cancer patient, Jim recognized the need to invest in young physicians and scientists to help establish their careers—after all, someone had invested in him early in his career
• In 2001, eight years after his death, The V Foundation announced its Translational Research Grants, designed to accelerate laboratory findings with the goal of benefiting patients more quickly.
• The V Foundation has awarded more than $130 million to more than 120 facilities nationwide and proudly awards 100% of direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs
• The V Foundation has a strong presence in the scientific community, and it is guided the by elite, all-volunteer Scientific Advisory Committee, that recommends the research projects funded.
• As with any patient, Jim discovered first-hand how slowly science progresses from the lab to the patient’s bedside.
• Due to generous donors, The Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses.
• The v foundation awards grants through a competitive award process.
• All money is give towards cancer research. ALL

Jimmyv.org/about-us

The V foundation has impacted people all over the world. Including here locally over at Northern Guilford where the coach of the boy’s basketball team was coached by Dean Smith who was great friends with Jimmy V before he died. Dean Smith passed away just 3 weeks ago and it has really impacted the basketball world. Almost just like the passing of Jimmy Valvano. So in honor of Smith’s death Bill Chambers talked with News and Record. The story can be found here: http://www.news-record.com/sports/college/smith-s-impact-was-felt-in-high-school-basketball/article_b1e89cda-afe4-11e4-bda8-8bfcdb3907a7.html

I have learned a lot from researching the V foundation. I have also learned the importance of cancer research. There is a lot of time and effort put in to the finding of cures. That's why I am writing about this. So everyone I know or who is reading this can help save lives. There are people locally who have cancer. Everyone needs and everyone can help in some way.