Philadelphia Friends of V - Don’t Give Up. . .Don’t Ever Give Up

In eight short years, the Jimmy V CYO Basketball Classics and related events have raised $150,000 for the fight against cancer. This year’s event is in support of parish member, Peg Howe who, for the past year has been undergoing treatment at the University of Pennsylvania for uterine cancer.

About Us

What started out as a letter of support to the V Foundation for Cancer Research turned into a show of support by organizing a group of players, coaches, parents, friends and supporters called the Philadelphia Friends of V.at St. John Evangelist CYO in Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania.

Each year the group organizes The Jimmy V CYO Basketball Classic and related events at the end of every winter basketball season.

Since our inaugural event eight years ago, we have raised over $150,000.00 for cancer research.

This 4-day event is much more than basketball. Our two goals have remained the same since 2004:

Give our players one last opportunity to play together as a team in a fun, pressure-free environment.
Expose our players to the need for and positive impacts of cancer research.

Through the tireless efforts of our Friends of V team we exceed these goals every year.

In addition to the ‘Jimmy V CYO Classic’s….4 special days’ the Philadelphia Friends of V is proud to champion additional events including ‘Jimmy V After Dark’, ‘Score Against Cancer’ programs as well as cancer related events for our partners. We also have an education initiative, B.E.A.T. Cancer (Be Educated and Aware Today).

In 2011, in an unsure economic climate, we raised the most cumulative money in the tournament and related event’s history- over $33,000.

Jimmy V Week
February 18, 2012 through February 26, 2012

February 18^th	Kickoff event: Jimmy V at Night- Mardi Gras celebration held from 7-11 at Northampton Country Club in Northampton PA www. Nvgc.com) Visit us online at www.Facebook.com/JimmyVAfterDark
February 22^nd	Jimmy V Pep rally at St John’s school.
February 23^rd - 26^th	9^th Annual Jimmy V CYO Classic, St. John the Evangelist. Big Oak Rd., Morrisville, PA
	*Thursday night*: Opening night and Skills Competition
	*Friday Night:* Dedication Ceremony; Past families of honorees speak; Games
	Saturday: Games and Speech by Peg Howe, our honoree, who will talk about Uterine Cancer Awareness.
	*Sunday:* Games; Special Olympic Games; HS Alumni game
	Throughout the weekend there will also be silent auction items to be bid on and our “B.E.A.T. Cancer” Education Initiative will have an information table and support.

Jimmy V Restaurant/Retail

Diners can make a donation at the eatery of their choice through the week and month. Paper basketballs will be hung with the name of the supporter. A tabletop at participating restaurants will be placed on tables to promote the program.

About the V Foundation for Cancer Research:

It has been just 17 years since The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and former NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano. And what significant work has been accomplished during that time! Since 1993, The V Foundation has raised more than $100 million and awarded cancer research grants in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Researchers have developed their laboratories and taken their science from the labs to the clinics with the help of funds raised by The V Foundation.

The V Foundation started with the dream of Jim Valvano, the passionate and committed former NC State basketball coach and award-winning broadcaster, as he battled cancer. Wanting to see the battle through to victory, Valvano recruited friends and family to lead The V Foundation in his quest to eradicate the disease that ultimately claimed his life. With a dire need for early developmental, critical-stage grant support, the Foundation was formed to assist the brilliant young researchers that will eventually find cures for cancer.

Last Updated on Monday, 16 January 2012 10:31

9th Annual Jimmy V CYO Classic Honoree

The 9^th Annual Jimmy V CYO Classic will be in support of parish member, Peg Howe, a native of the area who has been undergoing treatment for uterine cancer at the University of Pennsylvania for uterine cancer. A member of St. John’s since 1990, Howe was diagnosed in the winter of 2011 after a pap smear came back positive. Mother to Kylie Howe, now a sophomore at PHS, she has served the parish by volunteering on the St. John’s CYO track team with sister Sue and brother-in-law Bob Malone, and also co-chaired the enrichment committee at St. John’s school while her daughter was a student. After surgery and chemotherapy, Howe returned to work in November 2011 and is still under a doctor’s care and maintenance program at the University of Pennsylvania. She urges women to be diligent in getting annual checkups and in seeking out the best care for treatment if there is a problem. “Do not stop at one doctor; go out and seek the best.”

Howe holds a doctorate in family and consumer sciences from Iowa State University and works as a high school family and consumer science teacher at Freehold Township HS in New Jersey.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 14:51