ESPN`s Shelley Smith: A Team Player

Winter 2016
The V Foundation for Cancer Research
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PERMIT NO. 47
ESPN’s Shelley Smith: A Team Player
M
ost of the country focuses on breast cancer in the month of October,
but scientists spend all 12 months a year researching ways to stop it.
And their work is making a difference. More people are surviving, and
treatment options are improving. The V Foundation is focused on funding
research to find underlying causes and even better treatments. We’ve been
lucky to have a unique advocate in ESPN’s Shelley Smith.
Many cancer survivors share special traits—enthusiasm, gratitude and a
desire to help others with cancer. Smith is no different. With her unique
position to reach so many people, Smith is on a mission to raise awareness
of and support for breast cancer prevention, detection and research.
Photo credit: Nasdaq
George Bodenheimer, retired President and Executive
Chairman of ESPN and V Foundation Board Member,
joined staff, supporters and other board members to ring
the Nasdaq Opening Bell in Times Square, New York City
on December 11.
V Events:
Dick Vitale Gala
May 13-14
Sarasota, FL
Virginia Vine
June 24-25
Charlottesville, VA
ESPN’s ESPY Awards
July 13
Los Angeles, CA
V Foundation Wine Celebration
August 4-7
Napa Valley, CA
Visit jimmyv.org for more information about these
and other events.
WE’VE MOVED
14600 Weston Parkway
Cary, NC 27513
Visit JIMMYV.ORG/WIN to make a donation.
TVF_Newsletter-Jan-2016.indd 1
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Welcome to 2016! We have very high hopes for this
year—hopes for remarkable progress in the fight
against cancer. We are fueled by your extraordinary
generosity in 2015. For the first time ever, we funded
more than $20 million in cancer research grants to
support brilliant scientists and novel research projects. This money goes to more than 100 researchers
who are devoting their careers to ending cancer.
In the words of our Board Member Mike (Coach K)
Krzyzewski, “Let’s Go!” With your help, that’s what
we will do in 2016. Go forward with strength and
conviction that, together, we can put an end to
cancer. We don’t have a moment to lose.
Best wishes,
Smith was diagnosed with cancer after a mammogram in the early summer
of 2014. After four rounds of chemotherapy, in the spring of 2015, Smith
sported a perfectly round, beautiful, hair-free head. When she returned to
work after her treatments started, it was in front of the TV cameras at the
2015 NFL Draft—showing the world what cancer treatments can look like.
Shelley Smith and her daughter Dylann
Recalling the decision, she remembers, “My oncologist said it would
empower women. ESPN said, ‘We welcome your shaved head.’ ”
On screen, you saw confidence and calmness, but when describing it, she used words like “terrified” and “ballistic.”
She found peace by settling on a plan with her doctor and sticking to it. Smith also built a team to help support her,
starting with her daughter.
“[My daughter] drove home. We knew this was serious. At first, we didn’t know how to get through it. It was harder for
her than it was for me. She had no control of the situation,” Smith recalled.
In another move designed to increase awareness, Smith decided her final check with the doctor would be filmed for
a documentary. Smith planned to educate other women by taking them into the room with her.
“I wanted to take people into the process. A lot of women haven’t been through this. I had a good idea I was cancer-free,
but I’d had no tests,” she explained.
In that visit, she learned her treatments had been successful. She had no more cancer.
“I’m going to do what I can to stay healthy and to help other people. I want to encourage women to get mammograms.
For people who can’t find time or don’t have the right insurance, there are people who will help you,” she said.
We thank Smith for her advocacy, her strength and for her help. You can help, too. Visit jimmyv.org to find all the ways
you can get involved with The V Foundation.
Susan Braun, CEO
Visit JIMMYV.ORG/WIN to make a donation.
1/14/2016 9:01:12 PM
A Successful V Week for Cancer Research
Thanks to you, our supporters and friends, V Week 2015 was a great
success! The V Foundation experienced many V Week firsts because of
many partners and donors.
Giving Back Gives Hope
W
hen you give back, you give hope to cancer patients and their loved ones. It is because of you that more cancer
research is funded and more lives are saved.
There are many ways to give back to The V Foundation: outright gifts, a monthly donation or pledge, a planned gift
through your estate or by using your interests and hobbies.
Here’s a recap of V Week:
• The Empire State building was lit blue on December 7 for The
Scott Rappaport has turned his dedication to Indiana University basketball into a life-saving mission. In 2009, Scott
drew inspiration from Jimmy V’s ESPY speech, just as Indiana came off its worst season in school history. He told himself
there are far worse things in life than losing a basketball game. Scott decided for each key Hoosiers’ win that season, he
would donate $25 to The V Foundation to celebrate. Scott has been a faithful donor and supporter ever since.
V Foundation (pictured right).
• Restaurants in the greater Raleigh, N.C. area participated in a week-long
Dine 4 V program.
• Rudy Giuliani spoke at a special V event held at the New York Athletic Club.
• V Foundation Board members, donors and staff rang the NASDAQ
You, our friends and wonderful donors, have given hope to cancer patients and their loved ones by supporting The V
Foundation in meaningful and unique ways. Whether you have given in honor or memory of a someone, made a gift
while rooting for your team, organized a fundraising event, set-up a basketball tournament or ran many miles for
Team V, we are thankful for all the creative ways your passion and hobbies have helped drive an end to cancer.
Opening Bell.
• UVA, WVU, Univ. of Md and UCONN participated in the Men’s V Basketball
Thank you for giving hope by giving back to The V Foundation.
For a full list of ideas and ways you can give to The V Foundation, visit www.jimmyv.org/waystogive.
Classic at Madison Square Garden.
• Champions League, Constellation Brands, Hooters and the New York Road
Runners presented donations on court.
• Notre Dame and UCONN participated in the Women’s V Basketball Classic.
• Many of you responded to ESPN’s videos of the courageous cancer patient
stories, Jimmy V’s inspiring speech and Stuart Scott’s words with generous
donations.
Thank you ALL for a great V Week for Cancer Research!
Remembering Stuart Scott Meet Linnea
In July 2014, legendary sportscaster Stuart Scott
delivered a memorable ESPYS speech calling us
to: “Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too
tired to fight, lay down and rest, and let
somebody else fight for you.”
We lost Scott in January 2015.
Today, his legacy lives on through the
Stuart Scott Memorial Fund. Grants
support research to help improve outcomes
for minority cancer patients. In total, the
Stuart Scott Memorial Fund awarded more
than $2 million to five different cancer
research grants. Visit jimmyv.org/stuartscott
to make your contribution.
‘Like’ us on facebook.com/thevfoundation
TVF_Newsletter-Jan-2016.indd 2
Constellation Brands presented The V Foundation with a
check during the Jimmy V Week Classic Games in December.
Linnea Olson is a 10-year cancer
survivor. Watch her incredible
story and how you helped her at
jimmyv.org
Team V runners like Elisa Duesing raised an incredible $300,000
in the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon in November.
Please visit
jimmyv.org/win
to make a donation.
Follow us on Twitter @thevfoundation
1/14/2016 9:01:18 PM