The V Foundation

The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s Victory Ride to Cure Cancer, a one-day charity cycling event presented by Braswell Family Farms and benefiting the V Foundation, was held on May 18 at NC State University’s Centennial Campus. The event raised more than $230,000 through a dedicated group of riders to help achieve Victory Over Cancer®. The V Foundation is proud to host an event in the Triangle, with 100% of rider-raised funds supporting Duke Cancer Institute, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as breakthrough cancer research nationwide.

“As a Victory Ride committee member, as well as a participant, the past two years have been a rewarding experience on two fronts,” said Jon Flaherty. “From the planning and execution side, it is great to see how much the event has grown from year one to year two. Most importantly, as a participant, the ability to use my passion to positively impact the lives of those who face cancer is an incredible feeling!”

The second annual event had over 600 registered riders and volunteers. Riders completed 10-, 30-, 60- or 100-mile routes. Prior to the ride, riders were served breakfast from Braswell Family Farms and heard from George Hincapie, 17-time Tour de France competitor and Grand Marshal of the Victory Ride. The post-event festival had beers from local breweries including Cotton House Craft Brewers, Bull City Ciderworks and Little City Brewing, as well as national brands New Belgium and Corona. In addition, there were local food trucks, including Gonza Tacos y Tequila, Napoli Pizza and The Cow and The Oak, and a bicycle obstacle course for kids from Bikin’ Dads.

Matthew Snee was recognized as the top fundraising individual, collecting more than $7,500 in donations to support cancer research, with Robin Beltowski closely behind with more than $6,000. The top fundraising team was Duke Cancer Institute. Duke’s riders raised nearly $20,000, and Team Beltowski was closely behind with more than $18,500. Fundraising for this year’s event continues until June 18, 2019.

“This is my second Victory Ride, and it was an amazing experience,” said Snee. “It was an honor to be out there with hundreds of other cyclists raising money for such an important cause. I can’t wait to do it again next year!”

The V Foundation would like to thank its partners for helping to put on the ride, including presenting partner Braswell Family Farms, CBS 17, iHeart Media Raleigh, Spectrum News, Core Compete, Docker, Stratacent and others.

“The Victory Ride was such a great event,” said Trey Braswell, President of Braswell Family Farms. “It’s so encouraging to see people show up to support the fight. So many of us at Braswell Family Farms have been impacted by cancer in some way. Braswell Family Farms is so grateful to partner with the V Foundation and have an opportunity to give back with our time, treasure and talent to push back on the darkness of cancer.”

For more information about the Victory Ride to Cure Cancer, please visit 

. Follow the Victory Ride on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @TheVictoryRide. 

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. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $225 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Event proceeds benefit cancer research funded by the V Foundation. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit 

Articles

Funds raised by the V Foundation for Cancer Research’s Victory Ride to Cure Cancer benefit cancer research in North Carolina and beyond.

Second Annual Victory Ride to Cure Cancer Raises More Than $230,000 for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s Victory Ride to Cure Cancer, a one-day charity cycling event benefiting the V Foundation in Raleigh, N.C., is delighted to announce Braswell Family Farms as presenting partner. Braswell Family Farms, one of the foremost producers of premium and specialty eggs and feed on the East Coast, is joining the V Foundation on May 18 to help achieve Victory Over Cancer®.

“So many on our team at Braswell Family Farms have either suffered from cancer themselves or had a close friend or family member who has,” said Trey Braswell, President of Braswell Family Farms. “Braswell Family Farms is so grateful to partner with the V Foundation and have an opportunity to give back with our time, treasure and talent to push back on the darkness of cancer.” 

As the presenting partner, Braswell Family Farms will enhance the ride-day experience for participants, volunteers and spectators. Braswell Family Farms will provide breakfast for all riders and volunteers and provide hard boiled eggs throughout the course to fuel cyclists. Prior to the Victory Ride, Braswell Family Farms will visit Victory Ride partners on a breakfast tour.

“We are so pleased to partner with Braswell Family Farms,” said Susan Braun, Chief Executive Officer of the V Foundation. “What a wonderful partner to have as we build the Victory Ride. Their support not only means a delicious start to ride day, but it means even more people working together toward Victory Over Cancer®.”

Victory Ride participants raise a minimum of $250 with 100% of rider-raised funds directed to cancer research. The Victory Ride benefits Duke Cancer Institute, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as breakthrough cancer research nationwide.

From start to post-ride, the Victory Ride has many exciting features. George Hincapie, 17-time Tour de France competitor and Grand Marshal of the Victory Ride, will lead the first wave of riders out of NC State University’s Centennial Campus. The Victory Ride festival area will have a kids bicycle obstacle course. Cyclists and their guests can enjoy food trucks and local breweries in a post-ride celebration.

For more information about the Victory Ride to Cure Cancer or to register for the ride, please visit 

. Follow the Victory Ride on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheVictoryRide and through #TheVictoryRide. For more information on the V Foundation for Cancer Research or to make a donation, please visit 

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 Foundation has funded more than $225 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Event proceeds benefit cancer research funded by the V Foundation.  The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit 

Braswell Family Farms seeks to glorify God while providing the safest, highest quality feed and eggs for American families. Braswell Family Farms is the second largest Eggland's Best franchisee in the United States and a leading producer of value-added private label egg products for quality minded retailers.

Fourth-generation, family-owned egg and feed farm joins local cycling event to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.

The V Foundation's Victory Ride to Cure Cancer Announces Braswell Family Farms as Presenting Partner

Cary, NC [March 5, 2019] — The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, is eager to announce fundraising initiatives for this month. Coinciding with March college basketball tournaments, Constellation Brands and Applebee’s Mid-Atlantic will each celebrate the late Jim Valvano’s “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® spirit and offer numerous opportunities for supporters dedicated to declaring Victory Over Cancer®. Contributions from these initiatives will help the V Foundation fund the nation’s most innovative cancer researchers.

Constellation Brands, the company behind the iconic beer, wine and spirits brands that consumers have loved and celebrated with for more than 70 years, and its incredible network of distributor partners, have contributed over $15 million in donations and marketing support for the V Foundation since 2010. Through campaigns like “Your Corona Helps Make A Difference” and the “Sip and Slam” sweepstakes, Constellation encourages business partners, retailers and consumers alike to make a donation to share in their commitment to Victory Over Cancer®.  This year, Constellation is proud to add a new element to its programs, awarding three research grants totaling $1.4 million in honor of its Gold Network distributor partners.

“We’re proud to have such a long-standing partnership with the V Foundation and Constellation is committed to fund research that will save even more lives,” said Jim Sabia, Chief Marketing Officer at Constellation Brands for Beer, Wine and Spirits. “Our employees and partners across the country continue to show unrelenting support for this cause, proving that the commitment to making a difference where we live and work is a top priority.”

In addition to the “Your Corona Helps Make A Difference” campaign and the “Sip and Slam” sweepstakes from Clos du Bois, Mark West, and Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, Constellation has teamed up with Rob Corddry, comedian and actor, and Omaze, an online fundraising platform, to raise funds for critical cancer research. Through Omaze, Corddry is offering fans the chance to join him on a private yacht in Southern California for a post-basketball getaway. For more information on the campaign and to enter for your chance to win visit 

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Constellation which has donated millions over the years to the V Foundation in support of cancer research,” said Corddry.

“March is a month of challenges and champions,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “The V Foundation embraces March as a time to work with our partners and engage the public in funding research aimed at curing cancer.”

Applebee’s Mid-Atlantic has raised over $1.4 million for pediatric cancer research since 2006. The group operates 69 Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill restaurants across North Carolina and South Carolina. The 13

 annual March Hoops Fundraiser encourages diners to donate at least $1 to the V Foundation. For each $1 donation, guests receive a paper basketball to personalize and hang in the restaurant. In the spirit of tournament season, guests are given the option to choose from several paper basketballs that represent universities in their area.

“Applebee’s Mid-Atlantic is a proud sponsor of the V Foundation. Our commitment spans 13 years and we remain dedicated to helping fund research for new technologies and treatments for years to come. We take great pride in our ‘March Hoops Campaign’ and we are honored our guests are also able to join us in raising funds for this important and life-changing cause,” says Elizabeth McGee, Vice President Company Operations, Applebee’s Mid-Atlantic.

The V Foundation holds a 4-star (highest) rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, and is among the top 3 percent of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation is a GuideStar platinum-rated charity. 

For more information about the V Foundation and how to get involved, please visit 

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. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $225 million in cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation awards 100 percent of direct donations to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation’s endowment covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit 

Partnerships to Coincide with NCAA Basketball Tournaments

The V Foundation Announces March Fundraising Initiatives for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, and ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Dick Vitale are pleased to announce the 14

 Annual Dick Vitale Gala will be held on May 10 at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota in Florida. Vitale is a true champion for pediatric cancer research, evidenced by his Gala raising $25 million to date. This year’s event will honor ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler, University of Alabama Men’s Basketball Head Coach Avery Johnson and Clemson University Football Head Coach Dabo Swinney. Additionally, Tyler Trent will be honored through a grant made in his memory.

"Once again, we have put together a superstar group of honorees,” said Vitale. “How lucky we are that we will have Coach Swinney, Coach Johnson and ESPN’s Chris Fowler. I’m also excited to keep the spirit and memory of John Saunders alive through the John Saunders V Foundation Courage Award, which will go to two very special guests.”

Recruiting some of the biggest names in sports to his event each year, Vitale continues to build the support needed to defeat pediatric cancer. Just four percent of federal cancer research funding is dedicated to pediatric cancer. Private funding is critical to propelling research for this leading cause of death by disease in American children. Vitale leads the V Foundation’s pediatric cancer research initiative with this annual Gala. Last year, Vitale’s event raised $3.7 million and inspired countless others to support the cause. The V Foundation has awarded $40 million in pediatric research grants.

This year, Vitale and the V Foundation are excited to honor three notable sports figures. Fowler, a leading ESPN broadcaster, is one of the most respected play-by-play commentators in television, appearing on many of ESPN’s marquee properties, primarily in college football and Grand Slam tennis. Johnson is a well-respected college coach, former ESPN analyst and decorated NBA coach and player. He led the San Antonio Spurs to the 1999 NBA title and was the 2006 NBA Coach of the Year. Losing both of his parents to cancer, Johnson is a long-time fundraiser and supporter of cancer research. Swinney, who recently led Clemson to its second college football national championship with a 15-0 season, fiercely advocates for breast cancer after losing his sister-in-law to the disease.

“The room will be alive with the passion to achieve Victory Over Cancer®,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “So many advocates, supporters, fans and loved ones come together at the Vitale Gala to raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Children’s cancer is a tough opponent, and together we will beat it! Many thanks to the honorees and to Dick and Lorraine Vitale for making it happen!”

In addition to honoring his All-Star team of cancer patients, Vitale will recognize two special guests with the John Saunders V Foundation Courage Award. ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe and ESPN analyst and longtime college football coach Lee Corso will be this year’s honorees. This award is given to inspirational individuals using their voice to raise awareness and funding for cancer research.

The V Foundation has proudly awarded more than $225 million for cutting-edge cancer research. The V Foundation holds a 4-star (highest) rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, and is among the top 3% of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation is a GuideStar platinum-rated charity.

. To purchase tickets, please call the Gala line at 941-350-0580.

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 Foundation has funded more than $225 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Event proceeds benefit cancer research funded by the V Foundation. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit 

Event to Fund Cutting-Edge Pediatric Cancer Research

The V Foundation

Second Annual Victory Ride to Cure Cancer Raises More Than $230,000 for Cancer Research

The V Foundation's Victory Ride to Cure Cancer Announces Braswell Family Farms as Presenting Partner

The V Foundation Announces March Fundraising Initiatives for Cancer Research

Chris Fowler, Avery Johnson and Dabo Swinney to be Honored at 14th Annual Dick Vitale Gala

Latest News