The University of Illinois men’s basketball team is set to participate in the Jimmy V Classic vs. The Texas Longhorns on Tuesday, Dec. 6. As part of the Jimmy V Classic Challenge, the Fighting Illini, along with seven other schools, have also been challenged to raise money for cancer research in honor of the late Jim Valvano, legendary college basketball coach, ESPN announcer, and founder of the V Foundation.
Each school has selected projects on their campus working on meaningful cancer research aimed at saving lives for generations. As Jim Valvano said, “We need your help. It may not save my life. It may save my children’s life. It may save someone you love.”
The money each school raises will be split 50/50 between the V Foundation-funded grants and local research initiatives supported by each school. Donations to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will benefit the Cancer Center at Illinois—a hub on campus that provides researchers with support and resources for groundbreaking cancer research.
“Illinois has provided the world with innovations that have shaped modern society and we use in our daily lives,” said Rohit Bhargava, director of the Cancer Center at Illinois. “Many technologies can trace their basic roots back to the University of Illinois—the visible LED, the graphical web browser, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), etc. We are bringing the same spirit of innovation to engineer cancer breakthroughs that transform care and quality of life for all.”
The Cancer Center uses the combined power of engineering and basic sciences to transform how we understand and treat cancer. With more than 150 Illinois faculty researchers, postdocs, and students leading groundbreaking therapeutic discoveries, launching new imaging technologies, and training the next generation of cancer researchers, Illinois is redefining cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Learn more and participate in the Jimmy V Classic Challenge here.
ABOUT THE V FOUNDATION
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 V Foundation has funded over $310 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
