2016 'Dribble for the Cure' a Huge Success

LOS ANGELES - The ninth annual 'Dribble for the Cure,' held at the UCLA campus on Sunday, Nov. 6, set annual event records for donation and participation in the continued effort to find a cure for children's cancer.

For the eighth consecutive year, the 'Dribble' set an annual donation record, with gross revenue, including corporate sponsorships and online fund-raising, of over $191,000. The participation mark of over 1,000 (team, a minimum of 10 and individual participants), including a record over 600 pre-registered online, broke the high of over 900 set in 2011. 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 a nine-year event total of over 6,225 participants contributing over $1 million ($1,255,350) in the battle against children's cancer. Last year's event (2015) raised a then-record $186,700, reaching the $1 million total mark ($1,064,350) for the first time in event history. Other previous annual donation-highs were - $177,650 (2014), $167,000 (2013), $155,395 (2012), $115,000 (2011), $95,000 (2010) and $85,000 (2009). Proceeds benefit the PCRF and support the treatment for pediatric cancer patients at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.

Starting at UCLA's Drake Stadium and finishing at Collins Court (John Wooden Center), participants dribbled basketballs 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 2016-17 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 2016 'Dribble for the Cure' were - Leonard Evans (age 15),
Kenny Thomas (age 12), Hannah Fitzgerald (age 10) and Alexa Kohler (age 8), all pediatric cancer survivors who are treated at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.

"This past year has brought renewed efforts from the public and private sectors to accelerate research and treatment of cancer that will ultimately address cancers in children," said Dr. Theodore B. Moore, Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. "Organizations like the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation along with their partner, UCLA Athletics, through events like 'Dribble for the Cure,' put a spotlight on the need for attention on childhood cancer. We are deeply grateful to the hundreds of people who came to the Dribble on Nov. 6. There were patients and survivors, their families, friends as well as the UCLA community of students, athletes and staff coming together for this important cause. It brings us and our patient families hope for a bright future for many generations of children."
Jeri Wilson, PCRF Executive Director, with appreciation and respect spoke to all those who are involved and contributed to 'Dribble for the Cure.' "PCRF loves coming to the 'Bruins' House' for this event," Wilson said. "We are truly blessed to have your teams support our effort to find a cure for pediatric cancer. The coaches and student-athletes were very gracious to all the 'Dribblers.' It was so nice of them to sign basketballs, autograph t-shirts and pose for pictures. The truly important aspect is the funds that we raise, with your support, in the battle against children's cancer. We send a heartfelt, 'thank you,' to everyone who participated and donated on Nov. 6." Since 1982 PCRF has raised over $36 million in support of laboratory research that translates into immediate treatment for children with cancer.

UCLA men's basketball has been involved with 'Dribble for the Cure' since its inception in 2008. For Bruin men's head coach Steve Alford, this was his fourth 'Dribble' event. "'Dribble for the Cure' is such a meaningful event for our team to be involved with and participate," Alford said. "Over the years, the encouraging efforts of all those who 'Dribble' and donate have led to more research and better results in the battle against pediatric cancer. Our team 'thanks' all the teams and individuals who participated on Nov. 6 in reaching an all-time event-best donation total."

Bruin women's basketball has participated in 'Dribble for the Cure' since 2009 and for UCLA women's head coach Cori Close, this was her sixth 'Dribble' event. "Our team looks forward every year to participating in 'Dribble for the Cure,'" Close said. "The 'Honorary Captains' are such an inspiration, children who have battled pediatric cancer and who are now with us and participating in the 'Dribble' event. Research and fund-raising are definitely making a difference in fighting children's cancer and our team is very proud to be involved in 'Dribble for the Cure.'"

For many years, John Vallely and his family have been on the front line in the battle against cancer. A starting guard on John Wooden's UCLA 1969 and 1970 NCAA Championship men's basketball teams, he is a 2006 inductee into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2002, Vallely was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is a two-time stem cell/bone marrow transplant survivor. In 1991, Karen and John Vallely lost their daughter, Erin, to pediatric cancer at age 12.

"I continue to be amazed at the 'Dribble for the Cure' program," said Vallely, former President and current member of the PCRF Board of Directors since 1989. "On Nov. 6 we had record results in participation and fund-raising, with a special 'thanks' to all first-time participants. UCLA's 'Dribble for the Cure' is doing its part to eliminate childhood cancer. As founder of this event, I couldn't be more pleased."

Corporate 2016 sponsors for 'Dribble for the Cure' included – Founding Sponsor (Karen and John Vallely, in memory of Erin), Final Four Sponsor (Los Angeles Trial Lawyers' Charities/LATLC), Elite Eight Sponsors (Capital Group, Bob and Marion Wilson, Polly's Pies Restaurant), Sweet Sixteen Sponsors (BJ's Restaurant Foundation, Shulman Hodges & Bastian, Smart & Final Charitable Foundation) and Invited to the Dance Sponsors (Arthur J. Alper, 4.8 Productions, LLC/Where Were You When…?, Phil Steinberg).

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 Athletic Hall of Fame. Sheldrake and Art Alper were Bruin teammates from 1949-51.

'Dribble for the Cure' online fundraising will remain open until Nov. 30, for more information please go to www.dribbleforthecure.com, or call 1-800-354-7273.

2016 'Dribble for the Cure' Top Team and Individual Fund Raisers

Team

Bruin Fan Alliance ($24, 237, BFA included Bruin student-athlete alumni (football alums Aaron Hester and Dietrich Riley, track & field alumnae Turquoise Thompson, men's water polo alum Daniel McClintick), along with 20 Los Angeles Police Department officers and LAPD Youth Group).
Team Jackson ($23,602, organized by Sarah Senator (Zach Senator's sister) and Eli Fighter (Zach Senator's cousin); Team Jackson was founded by Zach Senator, current freshman student-athlete (water polo/swimming) at Pomona College, Senator lost his brother, Jackson, to pediatric cancer at the age of eight).
Team Kamemoto ($21,801, organized by Wayne Kamemoto, who for many years has been a 'Dribble for the Cure' top team and individual fund-raiser).

Individual

Wayne Kamemoto ($17,025)
Sarah Senator ($11, 975)
Ryan Bley ($7,043)

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