V Week in the Triangle: Fundraising to end the big C (August 14-22)

When beloved North Carolina State University men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano took the stage at the ESPY Awards to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, thunderous applause followed his ten minute speech that commanded the room and went on to inspire millions.  It was then that he announced the formation of The Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research.

That was March 3, 1993. Less than two months later, Coach V lost his own battle to cancer, yet 17 years later, The V Foundation for Cancer Research continues the fight through numerous fundraising efforts devoted to finding a cure for the big C. 

Beginning this Saturday, August 14, Valvano’s spirited, infectious energy ignites the 2010 V Week in the Triangle including a one day tennis tourney, a reverse raffle, an informative public educational forum, a pair of lively parties, and the grand finale – the 17th Annual Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. 

The Racquets for Research tennis tourney begins the celebrity laced week of activities bright and early at 8 a.m. on Saturday the 14th at the Raleigh Racquet Club.  The event will feature a Round Robin Tournament followed by a Pro Exhibition. Visiting tennis pros Don Johnson, Tim Wilkison and Jared Palmer among others will be in attendance.

The next event on the V Week calendar is the Reverse Raffle at the Raleigh Convention Center on Wednesday (8/18) at 6:30pm, benefiting melanoma cancer research in North Carolina.  A $100 ticket will entitle you to dine on a fusion slider bar, pomme frites and desserts, all the while offering you a chance to win various prizes. Only 1,000 tickets are sold for this event, and the final remaining ticket-holder wins the ultimate prize – a new BMW 138i. 

The parties continue through the weekend at the Raleigh Convention Center beginning with festive Friday night’s “Jimmy V Cruise to Key West” at 7 p.m. (8/20).  A gourmet buffet, casino games, silent auctions and live music from The Landsharks are just a few of the highlights promised to make the night one to remember.  Elegance is the order of the evening on Saturday night (8/21, 6 p.m.) with a black tie gala, celebrating the 17th year of achievements by the V Foundation. Silent and live auctions loaded with lavish items will be there for the taking, while delectable hors d’ouvres and dinner will be prepared by notable area chefs.

Also taking place on Saturday (8/21) at 10:30 a.m. is the second annual Public Cancer Forum featuring a panel of doctors and researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Free and open to the public, the forum will present the latest developments in cancer research and will also offer a Q&A discussion panel.   

On Sunday (8/22), teeing off at 8:30 a.m., the most popular event of the week is the 17th Annual Golf Classic held at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NCSU. For $5 per ticket, spend a day on the greens checking out Carolina Hurricanes Rod Brind’Amour and Erik Cole along with world famous musician Brandford Marsalis and American Professional Wrestler Ric Flair among other sports and entertainment celebrities, as they give it their best shots all in the name of Jimmy V’s fight.

HelloRaleigh Tip:  If you’ve never seen it, take a few minutes and watch Coach Valvano’s memorable speech at www.jimmyv.org.  For more information about each individual event during V Week and to purchase tickets, visit www.golfclassic.org.

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