'Dribble For The Cure IV' will take place Sunday, Oct. 30 on the UCLA campus. Once again, Ben Howland's UCLA men's basketball team, Cori Close's Bruin women's basketball squad and the UCLA Athletic Department will join forces with Bruin basketball alumnus John Vallely, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the Cancer Research Program at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital for the fourth annual fund-raising event.
Proceeds will be directed to finding a cure for pediatric cancer and supporting the treatment for children with cancer at the UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. Last year, in its third season, 'Dribble For The Cure' featured over 750 participants dribbling a basketball across the UCLA campus and raising more than $95,000. Since 2008, the three-year donation total is over $260,000 benefiting PCRF and UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.
"We deeply appreciate the partnership and support of Bruin coaches Cori Close and Ben Howland; John Vallely; the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and UCLA Athletics in our efforts to find cures for childhood cancer," said Dr. Theodore B. Moore, Interim Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. "'Dribble For The Cure' is a 'team' effort that has tremendous impact on the lives of patients and their families providing access to new and innovative therapies. Although we can expect as many as 80% of children may be cured of their cancer, that still means 20% of children are not cured. We need to find cures for those children and find therapies that do not have such significant side effects. 'Dribble For The Cure' helps make that happen."
On Sunday, Oct. 30, the event will begin (8:30 a.m. registration) at UCLA's Drake Stadium where activity booths and entertainment will be featured with a Welcome Ceremony starting at 10 a.m. 'Dribble For The Cure IV' will begin at 10:15 a.m. and each participant is asked to bring their own basketball (or buy a basketball on site) for the 1.2 mile dribble course through the UCLA campus. Because of the renovation to Pauley Pavilion, finish line festivities will take place at the John Wooden Center (Collins Court) where participants will have the opportunity to meet for autographs and pictures with the UCLA women's and men's basketball teams, along with student-athletes from other Bruin athletic squads.
Team (a minimum of 10) and Individual participants will be asked to collect pledges for their 'Dribble' and will become eligible for prizes based on pledge amounts turned in by Oct. 30. Each participant will receive an official 'Dribble For The Cure' t-shirt and goodie bag.
"Cori and I want to thank everyone who has participated the last three years and donated money in our continuing effort to finding a cure for children's cancer," Howland said. "' Dribble For The Cure' has become a very important date on the Bruin basketball calendar for all of our coaches and players. Every year this event has increased its participation and raised more money and that is our goal again this year, to truly make a difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer."
For many years, Vallely and his family have been on the front line in the battle against cancer. A Bruin starting guard on John Wooden's UCLA 1969 and 1970 NCAA Championship men's basketball teams and a 2006 inductee into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, Vallely is a cancer survivor and for 20-years a member of the PCRF Board of Directors. In 1991, John and Karen Vallely lost their daughter Erin to cancer at the age of 12.
"We are winning the battle against children's cancer," Vallely said. "Hundreds of people will be dribbling across the beautiful UCLA campus to raise important dollars for children's cancer research. Everyone who has attended this event the last three years has truly enjoyed their experience. The women's and men's UCLA basketball teams continue to reach out to the community to make a difference in the lives of others. This year we have Kentucky Fried Chicken franchisees and BJ's Restaurant Brewhouse joining us as major sponsors. The UCLA Band, cheerleaders and even the KFC Colonel will be there, too. As we continue our efforts to raise money to find a cure for pediatric cancer, I hope to see you on Oct. 30 for our terrific event."
For more information and to register for UCLA's 'Dribble For The Cure IV' on Oct. 30, please go to www.dribbleforthecure.com or call 949-859-6312/1-800-354-7273.
'Dribble For The Cure IV'/Sunday, Oct. 30/UCLA Campus
Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Registration (Drake Stadium)
10 a.m. - Welcome Ceremony (Drake Stadium)
10:15 a.m. - 'Dribble For The Cure IV'
11:15 a.m. - Finish Line Festivities (John Wooden Center/Collins Court)
