LOS ANGELES – The 11th annual Dribble for the Cure will take place Sunday, Oct. 14, as UCLA Athletics, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the Cancer Research Program at Mattel Children's Hospital continue their fight against pediatric cancer.
There is still time to get involved with Dribble for the Cure, which has attracted 7,425 participants and raised just under $1.5 million since 2008. To register individually, form or join a team or simply donate to the cause, click HERE.
Drake Stadium will again be filled with pediatric cancer warriors, sponsors and Bruin student-athletes beginning at 8:30 a.m. Various giveaways, including a commemorative t-shirt and goodie bag, will be distributed upon entrance to the Dribble for the Cure Festival, which will offer a number of activities leading up to the start of the Dribble. The route, approximately one mile in distance, will make its way through UCLA's scenic campus and conclude on the historic Pauley Pavilion court.
UCLA basketball student-athletes will be available throughout the day for autographs and photo opportunities throughout the morning, culminating in a meet and greet after awards are handed out and team captains recognized. The Oct. 14 date carries extra weight with the UCLA basketball programs, as it coincides with what would have been Coach John Wooden's 108th birthday.
The impact of Dribble for the Cure has made its way across country, where St. John's University Athletics recently held its eighth Dribble event. Heading into 2018, the programs had combined to raise just shy of $2 million.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:30 a.m. – Registration and Dribble for the Cure Festival open
10 a.m. – Welcome ceremony at Drake Stadium
10:15 – 11th annual Dribble for the Cure begins
11:15 – Finish-line festivities and awards presentation at Pauley Pavilion
WHAT THEY'VE SAID
"It is special to have Dribble for the Cure on Coach Wooden's birthday. I hope that everyone involved in this year's event will feel the reflection of his giving spirit. Coach was always enthusiastic for the opportunity to help children who have been stricken with cancer. He spoke at several of our PCRF events. Join us as we break the $2 million mark for our great Dribble for the Cure at UCLA."
--John Vallely, two-time NCAA champion, Board Member, PCRF and Founder, Dribble for the Cure
"Our goal is to treat our patients holistically with compassion, to move research forward, develop new strategies to treat cancer and to help our patients and their families to live their lives to the fullest. The combined efforts of UCLA Athletics, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital coming together in the Dribble for the Cure makes those goals a reality."
--Theodore B. Moore, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital
"This is an incredible event that has really grown each year and it's been very well received in our community. I know our players and coaches—both from the men's and women's basketball programs—really enjoy seeing everyone come out together in support of those fighting pediatric cancer."
--Steve Alford, The Michael Price Family UCLA Men's Head Basketball Coach
"This is not just, sort of a fundraiser with pie in the sky. This event, Dribble for the Cure, is keeping kids alive. It is saving lives from pediatric cancer. Don't miss out on this. It's fun, it's engaging and it truly makes a difference."
--Cori Close, The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach
