SARASOTA – For 14 years now the Dick Vitale Gala has been dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research. With more than $225 million awarded to cancer research since 1993 the V Foundation looks to put an end to parents hearing those dreaded four words.
“He’s a force of nature, it’s a noble cause. He is, I think, one of the leading people in the world to help pediatric research,” said ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler.
This year’s honorees Chris Fowler, Avery Johnson, and Dabo Swinney all thankful to Dick Vitale and all that he does for his courage’s kids.
“I love his passion and his relentlessness to attack a very worthy cause,” said Clemson University Head Football Coach, Dabo Swinney
But the man of hour says tonight is all about the children.
“It’s not about me, it’s about those kids. Those kids get me so passionate and so energized to want to help them,” said legendary ESPN Broadcaster Dick Vitale.
One of those courageous kids is 15-year-old Coleton Korney. Korney says the foundation helped him connect to other children cancer survivors.
“Meeting other people, honorees, or other courageous kids is amazing because I get to meet other people that went through what I went through,” said Korney. “Meeting people that have the same impact as me.”
The annual Dick Vitale Gala has raised more than $25 million for pediatric cancer research. They’re expecting to reach $30 million by the end of the night.
“The V Foundation has been amazing, they’ve been helping so many people, they’ve been helping me as well. As I knew of Dick Vitale and what he was doing, it was just amazing to know,” said Korney.
