LOS ANGELES – The 19th annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at UCLA will take place on campus on Sunday, Oct. 4. This event is part of a collaborative endeavor between UCLA Athletics, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital to end childhood cancer.
Participants can register here for the upcoming event that will begin at Drake Stadium on UCLA’s campus on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 4.
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 UCLA’s annual event will exclusively benefit PCRF and the lifesaving research at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.
“The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is incredibly proud to celebrate 19 years of partnership with UCLA Basketball,” said Danielle Fragalla, CEO of PCRF. “Together, we have raised more than $2.1 million to advance innovative pediatric cancer research and bring new hope to children and families facing a diagnosis. At a time when progress depends on sustained investment, the support of our community is more important than ever. By coming together, we can help ensure promising discoveries move forward and more children have the opportunity for a healthier future.”
Last year’s Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at UCLA, hosted in October, helped generate more than $164,000, benefitting the PCRF and research at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.
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.
“This is our opportunity to help change our world with childhood cancer," Vallely said. "Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has been a fun-filled event, embraced by UCLA’s community, where we can build a team, bring in sponsors and create hope for other young people. These youngsters can’t help themselves. I’d like to encourage everyone connected to UCLA to join us on Sunday, Oct. 4, and help us eliminate this terrible disease.”
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’s student-athletes throughout the morning, culminating in an autograph session.
The registration fee is $35 for adults who wish to take part in person, while children can sign up for $25. Each in-person participant receives a personalized fundraising page along with a goodie bag. Virtual sign-ups are $45 and $35 for adults and children, respectively, to cover shipping costs. Participant who register prior to Thursday, Sept. 17, can receive a free Dribble t-shirt.
“Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has been one of our top highlights at UCLA each year,” said Dr. Theodore B. Moore, the Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Director of the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at UCLA. “We are always so encouraged to see all these patients, their families, UCLA’s student-athletes, coaches and supportive friends join together to make a difference in this ongoing fight against pediatric cancer. Incredible progress has been made in research and treatment, but we still have children and their families who hear the words, 'I am sorry, nothing more can be done.' Please join us this October as we continue to dribble to victory until every child is cured of cancer.”
EVENT SCHEDULE (Sunday, Oct. 4)
8:30 a.m. – Registration and Fun Zone open at Drake Stadium
10 a.m. – Welcome ceremony
10:15 a.m. – Dribble for Victory Over Cancer course begins, with the finish-line festivities at Pauley Pavilion
11:15 a.m. – Closing ceremonies, awards and autographs inside Pauley Pavilion