Our Story ESPN founded The Foundation with Jim Valvano in 1993. More specifically, The V Foundation seeks out promising young scientists from the finest research facilities across the country who need early developmental, critical-stage grant support. The V Foundation operates with a small staff, a nationwide volunteer network, and an all-volunteer Board of Directors, so that we can pass on every dollar possible. Facts about Cancer Nearly 1.4 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and over 560,000 Americans will die from this disease. Every minute there is another death from cancer in this country, and one out of every five deaths in the United States is caused by cancer.
Cancer affects everyone, rich or poor, young or old.
In addition to pain and suffering inflicted by cancer, the economic costs, including medical expenses, lost productivity and death are staggering. Information and statistics provided by the American Association of Cancer Research.