Dribble for the Cure is a Huge Success
October 15, 2015 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES - As a starting guard on John Wooden's 1969 and 1970 UCLA NCAA Championship men's basketball teams, John Vallely's nickname was the 'Money Man,' for his ability to score points in tense game situations.
Vallely's nickname took on a more important meaning on Sunday, Oct. 11 when UCLA's eighth-annual 'Dribble for the Cure,' an event to raise money and awareness in the fight against children's cancer, reached the $1 million total donation mark during its eight year tenure.
EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
For the fifth consecutive year, the 'Dribble' set an annual donation record. The event totaled over 650 participants (third highest annual event participation total) with record gross revenue, including corporate sponsorships, of $186,700. UCLA's women's and men's basketball teams and the UCLA Athletic Department once again joined forces with Bruin men's basketball great John Vallely, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the Cancer Research Program at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA for the fund-raising event.
'Dribble for the Cure' has grown every year with an eight-year event total of 5,225 participants contributing over $1 million ($1,064,350) in the battle against children's cancer. Last year's event (2014) raised a then-record mark of $177,650, breaking the previous annual donation –high totals of $167,000 (2013), $155,395 (2012) and $115,000 (2011). Proceeds benefit the PCRF and support the treatment for pediatric cancer patients at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.
Starting at Drake Stadium and finishing at Collins Court (John Wooden Center), participants dribbled basketballs on a 1.2 mile course across the Bruin campus. At the conclusion of the event, participants were given a unique opportunity to meet, pose for photographs and obtain autographs from the 2015-16 UCLA women's and men's basketball teams. Bruin student-athletes from additional UCLA women's and men's sports were also present to volunteer and participate in the 'Dribble.'
Honorary Captains for the 2015 'Dribble for the Cure' were – Leonard Evans (age 14), Jorge Lopez (14), Kenny Thomas (age 11), Lillian Spratt (age 8), Alexa Kohler (age 7) and Lucas Tate (age 6), all pediatric cancer survivors who are treated at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.
“It was so incredible to see patients, families, friends, students, alumni, athletes and the community come together in one purpose: to find new cures for childhood cancer,” said Dr. Theodore B. Moore, Chief of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. “These are exciting times with research advances facilitating the implementation of precision medicine to tailor therapy to the individual, so we can optimize cure and minimize side effects. 'Dribble for the Cure' makes this happen!”
Jeri Wilson, PCRF Executive Director, with appreciation and respect spoke to all those who are involved and contributed to 'Dribble for the Cure.' “Bruin Nation and 'Dribble' supporters are solely responsible for helping us hit the $1 million dollar donation mark in 2015,” Wilson said. “These children need our help, they may only be 1% of the oncology population, but they are 100% of our future. Let's give these families hope, so that their children can live out their dreams.”
UCLA men's basketball has been involved with 'Dribble for the Cure' since its inception in 2008. For Steve Alford, entering his third season as the Bruin men's head coach, this was also his third 'Dribble' event. “I like the sound of basketballs bouncing around campus as hundreds of people come together to raise money to fight children's cancer,” Alford said. “It's what our program is all about, giving back and helping others. Reaching the $1 million donation goal is a great accomplishment for everyone involved. I know our team really enjoys participating in 'Dribble for the Cure.' ”
UCLA women's basketball has been involved with 'Dribble for the Cure' since 2009 and for Bruin women's head coach Cori Close, this was her fifth 'Dribble' event. “It's inspiring and exciting to see so many people come together for our 'Dribble for the Cure.' ” Close said. “Reaching the $1 million mark in donations after eight years is wonderful news. We're definitely making a difference in fighting children's cancer and our team is very proud to be involved in the 'Dribble.' ”
For many years, John Vallely, a 2006 inductee into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, and his family have been on the front line in the battle against cancer. In 2002, Vallely was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is a two-time stem cell/bone marrow transplant survivor. In 1991, John and Karen Vallely lost their daughter Erin to cancer at age 12.
“Passing the $1 million dollar milestone in fundraising for pediatric cancer research is the result of heartfelt passion,” said Vallely, former President and current member of the PCRF Board of Directors since 1989. “Sponsors, committee members, thousands of participants and the UCLA women's and men's basketball teams have made a difference in the survival rate of children stricken with cancer. I'm honored that so many people have shared the 'Dribble for the Cure' vision.”
Corporate 2015 sponsors for 'Dribble for the Cure' included – Founding Sponsor (Karen and John Vallely, in memory of Erin); Elite Eight (Capital Group, Dynamic Medical Imaging, Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities (LATLC), Polly's Pies Restaurant); Sweet 16 (7Summit Advisors, LLC, Arthur J. Alper, BJ's Restaurant Foundation, Shulman, Hodges & Bastian, Smart & Final Charitable Foundation), Invited to the Dance (Beacon Pointe Wealth Advisors NB, LLC, Senior Aerospace Ketema, 4.8 Productions, LLC and Where Were You When. . . ?).
Polly's Pies Restaurant is owned by Eddie Sheldrake, who was a UCLA guard/forward on Coach Wooden's first three Bruin men's basketball teams (1949-51). In 2000, Sheldrake was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. Sheldrake and Art Alper were Bruin teammates from 1949-51.
2015 'Dribble for the Cure' Top Team and Individual Fund Raisers
Team
1. Jackson ($27,425.00, organized by Zach Senator, a 12th grade water polo/swimmer at Pacific Palisades HS, who lost his brother Jackson to cancer at the age of eight-years-old).
2. Team Kamemoto ($26,450.00, organized by Wayne Kamemoto).
3. Team Swish ($8,796.00, organized by Wyatt Burg).
Individual
1. Wayne Kamemoto ($17,801)
2. Ryan Bley ($6,515.00)
3. Wyatt Burg ($5,906.00)
4. Honorary Captain Leonard Evans ($5,315.00)
5. Austin Graiwer ($4,200.00)
