(L-R) Galen Gordon, ESPN CP; Judi Cordray, ESPN VP/GM; George Bodenheimer, former President and Executive Chairman, ESPN; Lisa Kovlakas, ESPN Corporate Citizenship Manager, Strategic Partnerships; Kevin Martinez, ESPN VP Corporate Outreach; Brent Colborne, director, ESPN Programming & Acquisitions
Recently, ESPN sponsored the 19th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration in California’s Napa Valley. The three-day event has raised more than $80 million over the past 18 years. This year, Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of Duke University’s men’s basketball team, hosted the event where all proceeds benefited the V Foundation for Cancer Research. An important cancer research symposium was held by the scientific advisory committee demonstrating the outcomes of recent research that is funded by V Foundation grants.
This year’s focus was on genetics and the BRCA gene research including research about the disparities of cancers in Hispanic and African populations. For the weekend’s finale, researchers, doctors, and supporters all gathered for an incredible evening gala of fundraising through a live and silent auction and a call to action to support BRCA research. More than $8.8 umillion was raised addressing this specific cause. The three-day Wine Celebration is one of the V Foundation’s signature events to raise money for cancer research.
