LOS ANGELES – For the ninth consecutive year, Dribble for the Cure has brought in a record fundraising amount, totaling over $192,000 in its fight against pediatric cancer. The number, including corporate sponsorships for its annual event, figures to grow with donations still coming in. Proceeds benefit the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the Cancer Research Program at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

Dribble for the Cure officially marked its 10th year on Oct. 15, when the UCLA men's and women's basketball teams joined over 1,200 pediatric cancer fighters for a dribble drive of approximately one mile through the UCLA campus, culminating in a special anniversary visit to Nell & John Wooden Court at Pauley Pavilion. Student-athletes from a number of other UCLA sports chipped in, handing out t-shirts, goodie bags and other freebies and helping guide dribblers along the route. The basketball teams also took pictures and signed autographs as a show of thanks.

"We get a chance through the privilege to use basketball and UCLA sports to contribute in a small part to fighting against pediatric cancer," said UCLA head women's basketball coach Cori Close to the crowd of participants. "We want to thank everyone here and all the leadership, everybody who put this together, for allowing us to be a part."

The event was emceed by ESPN SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, who welcomed participants to Drake Stadium with the help of the UCLA Bruin Marching Band and Cheer Squad members. Everett also introduced the crowd to 10 team captains, a group of pediatric cancer fighters who served as the inspiration for many leading up to and during the event. The honored guests consisted of nine-year-old Alexa Kohler, eight-year-old Lucas Tate, 13-year-old Kenny Thomas, 16-year-old Leonard Evans, 11-year-old Hannah Fitzgerald, two-year-old Skye Savren-McCormick, six-year-old Grayson Marzotti-Miller, five-year-old David Gonzalez, nine-year-old Nigel Terry and 19-year-old Remedy Zozaya.

UCLA head men's basketball coach Steve Alford singled out Evans, who was one of multiple repeat captains.

"I think that's what's exciting about this, as you see in Leonard," Alford explained. "We've seen him now for several years and he keeps getting better looking by the day. It's good seeing the research that's done, the money and the time, the effort that's gone into [the fight]. You're seeing results… It's neat seeing individuals come back each and every year. We're seeing different stories like this, five and 10 years in remission."

Dr. Theodore Moore, the Professor and Chief of Pediatric Oncology and Director of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, stood alongside the captains at Pauley Pavilion, where they were recognized once again.

"The support we've received from the Dribble and PCRF," Dr. Moore explained, "has allowed us to focus our efforts on developing novel strategies for treatment including cancer immunotherapy, precision medicine, offering access to clinical trials, and research into the long-term effects and survival of cancer that is so crucial for children battling cancer from a very young age."

Banners were waved in honor of the top earning teams, as well as Erin Vallely. Born out of a tribute to his daughter, former UCLA men's basketball guard and two-time NCAA champion John Vallely brought Dribble for the Cure to his alma mater in 2008 to keep her memory alive while doing his part to ensure that other parents would not have to experience that same loss.

The success and spirit of Dribble has spread cross country, where St. John's University Athletics recently completed its seventh installment in New York City with the help of Vallely. Between the nearly $1.5 million—and rising—raised by UCLA and the roughly $500,000 brought in by St. John's, Dribble for the Cure has raised approximately $2 million toward the treatment of pediatric cancer.

"I'm so thrilled with our record breaking Dribble for the Cure fundraising," said Vallely. "With this continued effort, we will put the doctors out of business sooner than we expected. I am so happy with the work of our UCLA-PCRF team!"

Wayne Kamemoto, a frequent top individual fundraiser of UCLA's Dribble, once again took the top spot with $28,347 toward his top team total of $33,107. Sarah Senator honored her brother, Jackson, with $14,631 of the Team Jackson total of $21,297. Ryan Bley, who has participated in each of the 10 Dribbles, brought in $7,506. The Bruin Fan Alliance raised $15,685 to round out the list of top teams.

PCRF emphasizes the need to fund pediatric cancer research, as less than four percent of cancer research dollars go toward the childhood disease.

"UCLA has been an integral part in PCRF raising over $40 million dollars to support pediatric cancer research," said Jeri Wilson, Executive Director of PCRF, "It has been our honor to partner with the Bruin Nation to give a future to our littlest warriors fighting cancer."

For more information, including how you can still make a contribution to Dribble for the Cure, please visit dribbleforthecure.com.