The Quenton Nelson Blocking Cancer Celebrity Softball Game takes place on July 22 at Victory Field. This will be the third year that the Blocking Cancer Celebrity Softball Game raises money for charities.
Quenton Nelson, an All-Pro offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts, is partnering with the V Foundation for Cancer Research to host the annual event.
The V Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by the late Jim Valvano, a former basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The foundation’s mission is to find a cure for cancer and to support cancer research.
Since its inception in 1993, the V Foundation has raised over $250 million for cancer research and has funded over 1,600 research grants.
Many remember Valvano for his speech during the first-ever Excellence in Sports Performance and Achievement Awards, or ESPYS, on March 4, 1993.
“There are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives,” Valvano said. “Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is to think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears.”
Valvano bookended the speech with, “If you laugh, you think and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”
Valvano passed away less than two months later, on April 28, 1993, from a rare type of spinal cancer.
The foundation is committed to funding the most innovative and promising cancer research projects. It has a rigorous grant application process that is overseen by a team of scientific experts. The foundation also collaborates with leading cancer research institutions to advance the fight against cancer.
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In addition to funding research, the V Foundation also raises awareness about cancer and provides support to cancer patients and their families. The foundation has a patient assistance program that provides financial assistance to cancer patients who are struggling to pay for their medical expenses.
The V Foundation is a leading organization in the fight against cancer. Its commitment to funding research and providing support to cancer patients has made a significant impact in the fight against this devastating disease.
Randy Lewandowski, Indianapolis Indians president and general manager, expressed his excitement about the event, saying, “Our organization is honored to contribute to such an impactful initiative as we all share the common goal to strike out cancer.”
The event will begin on July 21 with a program and auction at the Lucas Estate, followed by the softball game on July 22, which will feature appearances from Indianapolis Colts players. All funds raised will go toward cancer research focused on therapeutic resistance.
Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at (317)-762-7846 or via e-mail at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @NoralParham.
