CARY, N.C. — Friday marks 30 years since former N.C. State University men's basketball coach Jim Valvano passed away from cancer. That same year, the V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded.

This year, its celebrating 30 years since the start of the foundation, along with 40 years since N.C. State won the Men’s NCAA Championship Tournament against Houston.

What You Need To Know

  • The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary N.C. State basketball coach and ESPN commentator
  • The foundation has awarded over $310 million in research grants (1,186 grants total), which have been used to fund all cancer types at the 71 NCI-designated cancer centers in the U.S. and other exceptional research institutions
  • The foundation has received 11 consecutive 4-star ratings (out of 4) by Charity Navigator, a leading charity evaluator. This places the V Foundation among the top 2% of all charities evaluated
  • Valvano was named to the 2023 class for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 

The championship was one of Valvano’s most notable accomplishments as a coach. And his legacy still lives on long and proud to this day. 

Jeff Friday began his journey with the V Foundation following two heart-wrenching diagnoses in November 2022. 

“The quote that stands out to me the most is, 'don't give up.' Don't ever give up. I think that's a great quote that inspires every single person who is going through cancer, who has a family member going through cancer. It's just a message to keep fighting and know that we will find a cure for the disease in the future,” Friday said. 

“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. So for breast cancer, there's a lot of research there. And we're very thankful that research done in the past and research being done currently have helped people with a similar prognosis as her. For my mother-in-law, she was diagnosed with a rare type of sarcoma, or the research isn't quite there yet, but research is being done,” Friday said. 

He began looking for ways he could give back to the great work of cancer research to be able to help both his mother and mother-in-law through their journeys, and that is what led him to the V Foundation. 

“That's our sole purpose as a foundation. We believe that through cancer research, we're going to have victory over cancer in the future,” Friday said. 

Valvano’s idea behind the foundation was to support young investigators doing the research, hoping that new ideas and people would help further victory over cancer. He knew it may not save his life, but it could save the lives of his children. 

“He was consistently thinking of others, and that research will pave the way for others to have a better outcome and provide hope for patients in the future,” Friday said. 

Since starting the V foundation, they have funded nearly 1,200 research grants. These grants have helped make advancements possible that have allowed more people to live life after having cancer. They have also seen a decline in cancer by 33% since starting the foundation. 

“[It's] a huge testament to cancer research and the work that we're doing at the V Foundation,” Friday said.