SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – For 18 years, the Dick Vitale Gala has made the Suncoast its home, welcoming stars from all walks of life, of all shapes and sizes, to raise money to fight pediatric cancer.
“I was diagnosed at four years old and went through it for three years, and I’m seven years cancer free now. Dick’s been an important part of my journey in life. He’s always been there for my family and me. I’m blessed to be at this event to raise money.” – Enzo, V Foundation “Courageous Kid”
Whether its Enzo or one of the other 18 courageous kids that were in attendance today at the Ritz-Carlton, Dick Vitale and the V Foundation are fighting to saves the lives of those stricken with cancer.
With stars galore covering the Ritz ballroom, all made their way to the Suncoast to break the record set last year of $11.1M raised to fight pediatric cancer. With honorees like Buster Posey, David Robinson and John McEnroe, the Gala’s long tenured history of welcoming stars continued tonight. Following his own fight with Lymphoma last year, the face of college basketball, Dick Vitale is motivated now more than ever to fight for the families he holds so close to his heart.
“Many times the nurse thought I was crazy, and I’d say to myself, ‘don’t give up man…don’t give up’. I get emotional many times thinking about people going through that. I’m 83, I’ve lived a full life, I can’t imagine you young kids going through that. Your parents have to live with that. That’s why I’m obsessed to raise as much [as I am].” – Dick Vitale, ESPN College Basketball Analyst/Cancer Survivor
Building off the lasting words, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up” uttered by the late Jim Valvano in 1993, the V Foundation has valiantly journeyed 30 years in their philanthropic work.
While the foundation one day hopes to be “put out of business” by the abolishment of cancer, the dreaded disease continues to impact millions per year, and the fight simply cannot begin and end on the Suncoast alone.
“Cancer has no prejudice. Cancer is with all of us, it affects all of us. We need to team [up] and continue to fight.” – Kevin Negandhi, ESPN SportsCenter Anchor
The 18th Annual Dick Vitale raised a record $12.4M for V Foundation cancer research, which pushes the amount raised over 18 years to nearly $67M.
