SARASOTA – It was a night that brought some of the biggest names of the sports world to the Suncoast.
“I love his passion and his relentless to attack a very worthy cause,” said Clemson University head football coach, Dabo Swinney.
This year’s honorees Avery Johnson, Chris Fowler and Dabo Swinney all came out in support of Dick Vitale and all he does for pediatric cancer research.
“He really shared his vision in the work that he’s doing with the V Foundation and really finding a cure for cancer and to help raise money for pediatric cancer research,” said former college and NBA head basketball coach, Avery Johnson.
“He really shared his vision in the work that he’s doing with the V Foundation and really finding a cure for cancer and to help raise money for pediatric cancer research,” said Johnson.
But the true stars of the night are Dickie V’s courageous kids.
“The V Foundation has been amazing, they’ve been helping so many people, they’ve been helping me as well,” said Coleton Korney.
Korney was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. News that devastated the 15-year-old. “At first it was heart breaking for me but my parents were strong for like the whole thing, nothing broke them, they were always strong through it,” said Korney.
That’s when the V Foundation stepped in and helped Korney and his family. “As I knew of Dick Vitale and what he was doing, it was just amazing to know,” he said.
Cole Eicher another teen who heard those devastating four words. “I was very healthy kid right before this and when I heard the words you have cancer it was very life changing for me,” said Eicher.
Now cancer free Eicher is helping others who are battling cancer.
“So I created an initiative, Gold together for childhood cancer, and it is now become a national program with American Cancer Society and we partner with their signature event called Relay for Life,” said Eicher.
The goal of Friday’s gala was to raise more than $4 million to bring the grand total to $30 million.
