AFL to tackle cancer with inaugural AFL V Week

Tuesday April 22, 2008

Week 9 dedicated to raising funds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research;
Donate now at www.jimmyv.org or call 800-4JIMMYV (454-6698)

NEW YORK – The Arena Football League, ESPN and The V Foundation for Cancer Research will launch AFL V Week, a new week-long initiative that will permeate the AFL and ESPN communities to help raise awareness and donations for cancer research from Tuesday, April 22 to Monday, April 28.

“The AFL Mission Statement begins with the phrase, ‘To serve our communities with pride and passion.’ Jim Valvano led his life with a pride for those he cared about and a passion for the game he loved,” said Commissioner DAVID BAKER. “The AFL is privileged to partner with ESPN and The V Foundation for AFL V Week. I encourage all members of the AFL family to help tackle cancer by donating today.”

Donations can be made by calling 800-4JIMMYV (454-6698) or by going online to The V Foundation’s Web site, www.jimmyv.org.

“The Arena Football League continues to demonstrate its commitment to serving its communities and fans, and we are excited to work hand-in-hand with the League and The V Foundation in raising awareness and money for cancer research throughout AFL V Week,” said GEORGE BODENHEIMER, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports and a member of The V Foundation board.

AFL V Week content will be incorporated into League and Team communications, including press releases, mass emails and Web site stories. A Public Service Announcement (PSA) has been created and will be played on jumbotrons at all AFL Week 9 games, within all Week 9 local television and radio broadcasts, and in ESPN game coverage and other media, including ESPNEWS, espn.com and ESPN360.com. The initiative will culminate Monday, April 28, with the Dallas Desperados vs. Philadelphia Soul nationally-televised game on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD (8 p.m. ET).


“On behalf of The V Foundation, I want to thank Commissioner Baker, the team owners, front office personnel, coaches, players, game officials and the fans for their participation in AFL V Week,” said NICK VALVANO, CEO of The V Foundation. “Through the commitment of these dedicated individuals, we join forces to create awareness and raise funds for essential cancer research. Cancer touches all of us, and when we come together as a team, it becomes possible to put an end to this awful disease.”

A league-wide commitment, all 17 AFL teams will participate in AFL V Week  through a variety of community outreach programs, including visits to local cancer-research hospitals and personal donations.  In addition, all Week 9 game balls will feature The V Foundation logo and all players will wear a “V” decal on their helmet. (To view images of the special V Foundation logo balls and helmet stickers, click here.)

Autographed balls will be available for auction on www.arenafootball.com with all proceeds going to The V Foundation. Fans purchasing merchandise through the League’s online store will also be able to choose to make a donation during checkout.

To view the AFL V Week public service announcement, log on to ESPN.com’s AFL homepage at http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/afl/index and click on the “AFL teams up with The V Foundation” link within the Video Playlist menu.

About Arena Football League

Often recognized as one of the nation’s most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League began its 22nd season in March with 17 teams. It is in its second year of a five-year agreement with ESPN. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans’ Bill of Rights, the AFL is the second-longest running football league in U.S. history.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc. is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company with over 50 business entities. Sports media assets include ESPN on ABC, six domestic cable television networks, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine and other growing businesses, including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Products (wireless), ESPN On Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV.

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 basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $70 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.