When NC State basketball coach and ESPN broadcaster Jim Valvano was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma, he was told he had a year to live. During that last year of his life he became an advocate in raising cancer awareness by sharing his personal experience as someone facing life and death with cancer.

According to The V Foundation for Cancer Research website, which Valvano and ESPN founded in 1993, "He was not afraid to let others witness his weakening body or the tears that he shed when he spoke of his certain death during interviews and public appearances. He knew that his body would lose the battle against cancer, but his vibrant spirit was the gift that he would leave behind."

Valvano's message in the fight against cancer was "Don't Give Up ... Don't Ever Give Up!" The V Foundation for Cancer Research continues on in honor of his memory. The V Foundation has raised more than $50 million dollars and awarded research grants in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The foundation's major endeavor is the funding of grants and research, called V Scholars, for promising young scientists from the finest research facilities across the country who need early financial support.

The Jimmy V Foundation hosts a number of fundraising events throughout the year including the Jimmy V Celebrity Junior Golf Classic, V Foundation Wine Celebration and the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. In addition, there are V Foundation License Plates, and Don't Give Up...Don't Ever Give Up!® wristbands.

Recently, the 2006 ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, held at Lost Canyons Golf Club in Simi Valley, California, raised $1.1 million dollars for The V Foundation.

One lucky couple was chosen -- from a pool of more than 450 couples who competed in ESPN's Marriage Madness competition -- as winner of the ultimate ESPN sports wedding. With listeners of the Mike & Mike in the Morning national TV and radio show as voters, Catherine and Jason West, now husband and wife, were married May 26, 2006 on ESPN. Noteworthy is the fact that both Catherine and Jason are die-hard University of Florida Gator fans -- they met at a Gator tailgating party and were engaged at Lake Alice, a popular outdoor spot on campus. The bride wore crystal Gator beadwork on her gown and the groom's tuxedo jacket was lined in Gator orange. The maid of honor wore a Gator blue dress and carried an orange bouquet. The wedding vows included the traditional messages of love, honor, and respect -- but some sports twists were sprinkled in too. The Wests took away a check for $20,000, compliments of hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, and they will soon head off on an all-expense paid sports-inspired honeymoon.

This wedding is inspired not just by sports.  It is also inspired by cancer survival. Catherine -- who became engaged on the one-year anniversary of her first breast cancer surgery -- is now in full cancer remission. And a $2,500 donation was made in the couple's name to the V Foundation, a cancer fund in memory of Jim Valvano, a former North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN broadcaster. This is surely an event to remember.