Latest news with #VFoundation
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former No. 1 Pick Believes He'd Get $10 Million in NIL if he Played Today
The era of name, image and likeness has dominated college football. Even former NFL players wonder what could have been if NIL existed. Keyshawn Johnson is one wondering "what if?" The USC legend and former top overall pick in the NFL Draft chimed in on the ongoing money making model in collegiate sports. Advertisement Johnson sounded off on NIL during his appearance on "Games With Names" hosted by Julian Edelman Wednesday. The Super Bowl winning wide receiver for the New England Patriots first asked Johnson: "Would you have left USC for NIL?" Johnson didn't mince words about what his decision would've been. This year's Gala honored former Tampa Bay Buc wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. The mission of the annual Dick Vitale Gala's is to raise money for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation for Cancer Research to help men, women and children diagnosed with cancer. This year the 2022, 17th Annual Dick Vitale Gala raises a record $11.1 million. For more information and how to donate visit Sar Dick Vitale Gala 12 © THOMAS BENDER/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK "Oh I'm staying at USC," Johnson began. "The reason is because we can pay." But Johnson didn't just bring up the NIL aspect as to why he'd stay at USC. "I'm a loyal person. I'm not a bounce around guy," Johnson said. "I'm not going to leave because someone is offering me $4 million versus two in-a-half. I'm not going to jump around and run." Advertisement However, Johnson believed he would've raked in $10 million at USC had NIL existed during his era. Johnson established himself as one of college football's most dominating wide receivers ever as a perennial All-American. Johnson dove even further by taking a dig at one Southeastern Conference powerhouse. "Leaving USC to go where? To Alabama? I'm not going to [expletive] Alabama," Johnson said. "Me? Alabama? A brother from the west coast? Oh hell no." JuJu Watkins is now the USC athlete cashing in on her NIL endorsement money and taking advantage of the new era. USC football under Lincoln Riley are also using NIL to help win over recruits. Related: USC in the Mix for New York's No. 1 Recruit Amid Push From Big Ten Rivals
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A CT company sells trendy attire, Whalers merch. They've teamed up with V Foundation to fight cancer
Southport-based Gells Apparel has entered a partnership with the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation is a nationally recognized organization that has granted nearly $400 million to cancer research, according to the foundation's website. 'We couldn't be more thrilled about this partnership with the V Foundation. Their commitment to help fund the very best in cancer research aligns perfectly with our principals as a brand,' Ashley Perkin, Gells Apparel's co-founder and chief marketing officer, said. 'From the outset, our conversations with the V Team had a palpable sense of mutual excitement,' Gells Apparel co-founder and president Richard Perkin added. Gells Apparel, pronounced 'Jel-z' is a family owned and operated premium lifestyle brand that specialized in accessories and apparel and 'creates apparel made for an active outdoor lifestyle with our lifelong mission to give back,' according to the business website. Among the specialties are hats, belts and key chains. Gells Apparel is an officially licensed partner with the National Hockey League, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and many NCAA institutions. It has been in business for about 10 years and will give a portion of its sales to the V Foundation. Richard Perkin said the company plans on raising awareness of the V Foundation through its website and social media and added that shipped products will be inserted with a QR code which will give customers literature about the V Foundation. 'We may also be supplying some of our products to the V Foundation for their events like golf outings,' Richard Perkin said. According to the V Foundation website, 'At the core of the V Foundation's mission lies an unwavering commitment to saving lives and uncovering cures for cancer. This dedication serves as the driving force behind every donation, propelling us forward in our relentless pursuit of progress in cancer research. This is why we ensure every penny of every dollar donated makes a tangible difference in the fight against this devastating disease.' In 2024, the V Foundation awarded $44 million in grants to 76 research teams and cancer centers. The foundation has been connected to more than 1,000 clinical trials and received over 5,500 grants that generated over $20 billion dollars in cancer research. 'We're extremely excited to team up with Gells Apparel. They share our fervor for funding innovative cancer research dedicated to bettering diagnostic tools, developing new treatment options, and saving lives. Together, through this partnership, we'll accelerate Victory Over Cancer,' Roger Ferguson, V Foundation for Cancer Research chief marketing officer, said in a press release. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late NC State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano. 'My wife and I founded Gells 10 years as a thing we wanted to do,' Richard Perkin said. 'We both had small business backgrounds, and we wanted to create something as our own. We were looking to gel a for-profit business that would help non-profits. That's how we came up with our name.' The company made custom products in Fairfield County for years before Gells became an officially licensed partner of the National Hockey League in 2021. 'That's when it went from a hobby to a full-blown business,' Richard Perkin said. Perkin said the Hartford Whalers-themed items are the top selling products. Perkin was a hockey player grew up in the state and loved the Whalers. 'It was a sad day when the Whale moved, but there are still so many Whalers fans,' Perkin said. Perkin said the company has expanded to three different belt styles in addition to the key chains and hats. The company also does golf-themed items as well.
Fox News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Full House' star Dave Coulier confirms he's cancer-free
Dave Coulier is cancer-free. "I'd like to give a heartfelt thank you to family, friends and fans for their continued prayers, love and support throughout my emotional roller coaster ride through cancer," the "Full House star said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, six months after he was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. "I'd like to add that throughout my cancer journey, I've become very aware of the ingredients, chemicals and materials that are in our foods, clothing and products that are available to consumers," he continued. Coluier said he had since established a startup company called AWEAR "that is currently designing an entire line of all natural and sustainable clothing, foods and personal hygiene products to begin distribution some time in 2025." He added, "I've also been appointed to be an ambassador for the V Foundation for cancer research and Hockey Fights Cancer. I will continue to encourage others to check in with doctors to get early screenings like breast exams, colonoscopies and prostate exams." Coulier's "Full House" co-star Candace Cameron Bure also took to social media to celebrate the news, writing, "DAVE IS CANCER FREE!!!! Join me in celebrating this AMAZING news — let's shower him with all the love in the world!" along with three red heart emojis. Shortly after completing his final round of chemotherapy, Coulier - who was diagnosed in October - was hospitalized with a virus that doctors feared could have taken his life if not caught in time. "I started to get pretty sick," the "Full House" alum, 65, told Parade in a new interview. "I didn't know that I had caught a virus. I was in bed for about 10 days just trying to figure out, 'Do I have a cold? Am I just feeling the ramifications of this cumulative effect of the chemo? What is going on?'" "There's a thing called [ground-glass opacity (GGO)]. On a scan, in your lungs it looks like particles of glass," Coulier, who starred as Joey Gladstone in the beloved TV series in the 1980s and 1990s, explained. That, plus his cold symptoms, were "wreaking havoc in my system," he said. Coulier said his doctors told him that if had not come in for a check-up when he did, "We might not have been able to turn this around." Coulier also shared that halfway through his treatment, his doctors told him that they didn't see any more cancer cells, explaining, "They carpet-bombed me for three more treatments after that, and they're not expecting to see anything [further]." Despite the positive news, his wife Melissa shared that the couple still had conversations about what would happen if the treatment didn't work. "After [the fifth round of] chemo, he was like, 'I don't know if I could do this again,'" Melissa said. "He was like, 'I'm prepared either way. If I die, I die. And if I can stay here, great. I want to.' Those conversations were obviously so tough." In November, Coulier announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The actor and comedian said he was diagnosed in October after experiencing an upper respiratory infection caused by major swelling in his lymph nodes. "Three days later, my doctors called me back, and they said, 'We wish we had better news for you, but you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and it's called B cell, and it's very aggressive,'" he told People magazine. "I went from, 'I got a little bit of a head cold' to 'I have cancer,' and it was pretty overwhelming," he added. "This has been a really fast roller-coaster ride of a journey." According to the American Cancer Society, B-cell lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops in B-lymphocytes. B-cell lymphomas account for the vast majority of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Every year, more than 80,000 Americans are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. "The first thing I said to them was, 'Wait a minute — cancer?'" Coulier later shared on the "Today" show. "(I was) feeling like I got punched in the stomach, because it never happens to you. You always hear about it happening to someone else." Coulier completed his sixth round of chemotherapy last month. "I was in such a daze when I walked out of the hospital, my wife looked at me [when] we got in the car, and she goes, 'We forgot to ring the bell,'" Coulier told Parade. Though to be expected, the treatment took an emotional and physical toll on the beloved actor. "The symptoms were getting worse and worse with each treatment," Coulier said. "So neuropathy, which I hadn't experienced before, started to increase. Nausea started to increase. Dizziness started to increase. They call it chemo brain, where you're a bit foggy — that started to increase. My days of being able to get up and walk around and be active started to decrease." "Some days, I just didn't want to do anything," Coulier added. "Though I wanted to move around and go out and, you know, work around the house, I just couldn't. There was so much cancer-related fatigue that got progressively worse and worse and worse, and I thought, 'Wow, this is how it's going to go.'" Despite the setbacks, Coulier and Melissa remain positive and even participate in silly morning rituals that helped boost his confidence. "He has some really tough days, and as the chemo has been accumulating it gets a little tougher and more difficult," Melissa said during an interview with Detroit's ABC-WXYZ in January. "He has such a positive attitude, and you need that in order to really fight it," she continued. "Every morning, if he's feeling up for it, we try to put on a song and do a little dance party with the dogs, because when you do feel good, you have to celebrate that, too." "He has had a lot of loss in his life when it comes to having to deal with cancer. He lost his mother, his sister, his niece. His other sister had it," she added. "I think for him, he takes every stride and really pulls strength from seeing the women that were so close in his life to powering through it, and he just wants to honor them."
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The 4th Annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean Weekend Raises Over $3 Million
NAPA, Calif., March 31, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The fourth annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean weekend, hosted March 27-30 in Sonoma County, raised over $3 million. These funds will support game-changing research at top cancer centers across North America, with 100% of event proceeds directly benefiting cancer research. Sonoma Epicurean, co-presented by Weather Wines and Colossal, is a signature event series that features three days of curated experiences with award-winning chefs, local artisans and Sonoma County's top vintners, with a focus on lifestyle, wellness and sustainability, all while benefiting lifesaving cancer research through the V Foundation. "We have now raised more than $13 million at Sonoma Epicurean since its start in 2022 to fund research that leads to breakthrough discoveries," said Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation. "Our sponsors, attendees, and so many members of the local community come together each year in Sonoma County with a singular goal: to accelerate Victory Over Cancer. Together, we're providing world-class scientists with the resources to continue pursuing bold ideas that will impact patient lives for generations to come." The events included Friday's Epicurean Experiences, where guests enjoyed a variety of fully immersive experiences focused on wellness, sustainability and staying active including the debut of the Wilson Celebrity Pickleball Classic hosted by V Foundation Board Members Russell Wilson and Ciara and their nonprofit, the Why Not You Foundation. Saturday's events included the Wellness Breakfast and Cancer Research Symposium, where attendees learned from V Foundation-funded scientists about research highlighting cancer interception and prevention, and culminated with the Gala & Auction at Montage Healdsburg where 2025 Honorees Johanna and Dustin Valette announced a new partnership with Valette Wines to benefit the V Foundation through March 2026. "Supporting the V Foundation's vital work has always been a cause close to our hearts," said Dustin Valette. "Through this new initiative, where 10% of all new customer sales from Valette Wines will be donated through March 2026, we hope to contribute to the Foundation's mission and help further their life-changing efforts. It's our honor to play a small part in such an important cause." Event co-chairs Stuart Bryan and Jessica Kilcullen introduced auctioneer and Emmy award-winning radio and television personality Liam Mayclem, who generated excitement and competitive bidding at the live auction including the evening's top lot, The Cabo Dream with Aperture Cellars that sold for $220,000. Russell Wilson and Ciara kicked off the live auction with three surprise lots featuring a Yankee's experience, a Duke trip and a NY Giants adventure garnering $277,500. In total, Sonoma Epicurean raised over $3 million for lifesaving cancer research. The fifth annual V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean weekend will take place March 26-29, 2026. For more information, please visit (Additional images available upon request) View source version on Contacts Media Contacts: Tom Fuller & Monty SanderFuller & Sander Communicationstom@ 707.253.0868monty@ 707.253.8503Rebecca ErquittThe V Foundation for Cancer Researchrerquitt@ 919-443-3555 Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The 4th Annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean Weekend Raises Over $3 Million
The fourth annual V Foundation for Cancer Research Sonoma Epicurean weekend, hosted March 27-30 in Sonoma County, raised over $3 million. These funds will support game-changing research at top cancer centers across North America, with 100% of event proceeds directly benefiting cancer research. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: The V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean Steering Committee celebrates over $3 million raised at the 4th annual Gala Auction, held Saturday, March 29th in Healdsburg, CA. (Image courtesy of V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean - Will Bucquoy, photographer) Sonoma Epicurean, co-presented by Weather Wines and Colossal, is a signature event series that features three days of curated experiences with award-winning chefs, local artisans and Sonoma County's top vintners, with a focus on lifestyle, wellness and sustainability, all while benefiting lifesaving cancer research through the V Foundation. 'We have now raised more than $13 million at Sonoma Epicurean since its start in 2022 to fund research that leads to breakthrough discoveries,' said Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation. 'Our sponsors, attendees, and so many members of the local community come together each year in Sonoma County with a singular goal: to accelerate Victory Over Cancer. Together, we're providing world-class scientists with the resources to continue pursuing bold ideas that will impact patient lives for generations to come.' The events included Friday's Epicurean Experiences, where guests enjoyed a variety of fully immersive experiences focused on wellness, sustainability and staying active including the debut of the Wilson Celebrity Pickleball Classic hosted by V Foundation Board Members Russell Wilson and Ciara and their nonprofit, the Why Not You Foundation. Saturday's events included the Wellness Breakfast and Cancer Research Symposium, where attendees learned from V Foundation-funded scientists about research highlighting cancer interception and prevention, and culminated with the Gala & Auction at Montage Healdsburg where 2025 Honorees Johanna and Dustin Valette announced a new partnership with Valette Wines to benefit the V Foundation through March 2026. 'Supporting the V Foundation's vital work has always been a cause close to our hearts,' said Dustin Valette. 'Through this new initiative, where 10% of all new customer sales from Valette Wines will be donated through March 2026, we hope to contribute to the Foundation's mission and help further their life-changing efforts. It's our honor to play a small part in such an important cause.' Event co-chairs Stuart Bryan and Jessica Kilcullen introduced auctioneer and Emmy award-winning radio and television personality Liam Mayclem, who generated excitement and competitive bidding at the live auction including the evening's top lot, The Cabo Dream with Aperture Cellars that sold for $220,000. Russell Wilson and Ciara kicked off the live auction with three surprise lots featuring a Yankee's experience, a Duke trip and a NY Giants adventure garnering $277,500. In total, Sonoma Epicurean raised over $3 million for lifesaving cancer research. The fifth annual V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean weekend will take place March 26-29, 2026. For more information, please visit Tom Fuller & Monty Sander Fuller & Sander Communications [email protected] Rebecca Erquitt The V Foundation for Cancer Research SOURCE: V Foundation Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/31/2025 08:01 AM/DISC: 03/31/2025 08:03 AM
