UCLA to Host 17th Annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer
August 20, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Bruin Athletics
LOS ANGELES โย The 17th annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at UCLA will take place on campus on Sunday, Oct. 6. This event is part of a collaborative endeavor between UCLA Athletics, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF), Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA and the V Foundation to end childhood cancer.
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Participants can register here for the upcoming event that will begin at Drake Stadium on UCLA's campus on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 6.
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Both the UCLA men's and women's basketball teams remain at the forefront of the athletic department's efforts with the Dribble for Victory Over Cancer, as student-athletes and coaches dribble alongside participants in a format that began back in 2008. Fundraising efforts from Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at UCLA exclusively benefit PCRF and the lifesaving research at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital through the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer at the V Foundation. SEIA returns as the National Champion Sponsor.
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"The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is proud to partner with the UCLA men's and women's basketball teams for the 17th straight year, raising money and awareness for children battling cancer," said Danielle Fragalla, CEO of PCRF. "Over this 17-year span, UCLA's athletic department has helped us raise close to $2 million. With the funds raised at UCLA, we have been able to support innovative research where there was not treatment."
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Last year's Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at UCLA, hosted in October, helped generate more than $150,000, benefitting the PCRF and research at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital through the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer at the V Foundation (last year's event summary).
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PCRF board member John Vallely, who starred for two of John Wooden's NCAA championship-winning men's basketball teams before being inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006, started Dribble at his alma mater as a tribute to his daughter, Erin, who was lost to pediatric cancer in 1991 at the age of 12.
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"This is our chance to change our world of childhood cancer," Vallely said. "Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has been a fun-filled event where we can build a team, bring in sponsors and create hope for other young people. These youngsters cannot help themselves. We encourage everyone within UCLA's community to join us as we eliminate this terrible disease."
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Festivities begin at Drake Stadium and conclude on Nell and John Wooden Court inside Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Top individual and team fundraisers, as well as team captains, will be honored during the event's closing ceremonies. Participants will be accompanied by UCLA basketball student-athletes and coaches throughout the morning, culminating in an autograph session.
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The registration fee is $25 for adults who wish to take part in person, while children can sign up for $20. Each in-person participant receives a personalized fundraising page, an official Dribble for Victory Over Cancer event t-shirt and a goodie bag. Virtual sign-ups are $40 and $30 to cover shipping of t-shirts.
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"Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has always been one of the highlights of my year," said Dr. Theodore B. Moore, the Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at UCLA. "What an encouragement to see all these patients, families, student-athletes, coaches and supportive friends come together to make a difference in finding cures for pediatric cancer. Although incredible progress has been made, there are still children and their families that hear those words, 'I am sorry, nothing more can be done.' Let us continue to dribble to victory until every child is cured of cancer."
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EVENT SCHEDULE (Sunday, Oct. 6)
8:30 a.m. โ Registration and Fun Zone open at Drake Stadium
10 a.m. โ Opening ceremonies
10:15 a.m. โ Dribble for Victory Over Cancer begins, finish-line festivities begin at Pauley Pavilion
11:15 a.m. โ Closing ceremonies, awards presentation and autograph session with UCLA men's and women's basketball teams
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