About Philly Friends of V

The Philadelphia Friends of V is a group of people who were inspired by and now rally around the late Jim Valvano’s famous ‘Don’t Give Up’speech that he made at the 1993 ESPY awards 8 weeks before he passed on from cancer.

Since 2004 we seek to make a difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by creating an urgent awareness among all we touch at our various events the importance of the war against cancer.  We perform these dual roles through advocacy, education, fundraising, and philanthropy.
The Board of Directors,  Jimmy V Champions and Alumni of our events pledge our passion and commitment to those who support our events, whether through contributions or service, to ensure that Jim’s spirit, and the good works of the V Foundation of Cancer Research will live on and will triumph in the battle against cancer.

On March 4, 1993, Jim Valvano was awarded the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the first annual ESPY Awards. Following is his acceptance speech. You can read the full transcript below the video.