ESPN Commits $1 Million to Cancer Research to Begin 'Jimmy V Week'

Donation will help cover operating costs for The V Foundation

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/27/2012 12:24:28 PM

With Tuesday being the kick-off to ESPN's "Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research," the company's executive chairman George Bodenheimer announced that ESPN will donate $1 million to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

The dollars are earmarked for The Foundation's endowment fund, which helps cover operating costs, enabling all of the week's cash donations to go directly to research.

Bodenheimer, who's also a member of The V Foundation's board of directors, said, "It's fitting for ESPN to make this commitment as we begin 'Jimmy V Week,' when our employees and sports fans are passionate in joining together to make a difference to beat this disease."

Jimmy V Week is the network's annual week-long campaign to raise awareness and collect donations for cancer research. It is named after former N.C. State basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jimmy Valvano, who passed from bone cancer in 1993.