In today’s basketball notebook, I accidentally typed in Saturday instead of Sunday for this weekend’s Dribble for the Cure at UCLA. So to reiterate, it’s on Sunday morning, not Saturday.
————————
Dribble For The Cure III’ will take place Sunday, Nov. 7 at historic Pauley Pavilion. Once again, Ben Howland’s UCLA men’s basketball team, Nikki Caldwell’s Bruin women’s basketball squad and the UCLA Athletic Department will join forces with UCLA basketball alumnus John Vallely, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the Cancer Research Program at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA for the third 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 Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. Last year, in its second season, `Dribble For The Cure II’ featured over 750 registered participants dribbling a basketball across the UCLA campus and raising more than $90,000. That was an increase in donations from the first event, held in 2008, when nearly 400 participants `Dribbled For The Cure’ and raised approximately $72,000 for PCRF and the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation of Coaches Nikki Caldwell and Ben Howland; John Vallely; the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and UCLA Athletics for their support,” said Dr. Kathy Sakamoto, chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA. “`Dribble For The Cure’ has meant so much to us and to the patients and their families. Our goal is to cure all children with cancer and minimize the effects of treatment. This event makes a significant impact in improving the lives of all of our patients.”
The event will start at UCLA’s Drake Stadium where activity booths and entertainment will be featured. At the Dribble’s conclusion in Pauley Pavilion, 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. Each participant is asked to bring their own basketball and “Dribble For The Cure” on a designated 1.2 mile course through the UCLA campus.
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 the day of the event (Nov. 7). Each participant will also receive an official `Dribble For The Cure’ t-shirt and goodie bag.
“Nikki and I want to thank everyone who has participated the last two years and donated money in our continuing effort to finding a cure for children’s cancer,” Howland said. “Joining forces with John and his family, the PCRF and the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA makes this a very memorable event for our teams, our athletic department and the Bruin community. In 2009, we had more participants and raised more money than in 2008. This year our goal is to raise even more money to truly make a difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer. Thanks again to everyone who has donated to this great and worthy cause.”
For many years, Vallely and his family have been on the front line in the battle against cancer. A 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 a member of the Board of Directors for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. In 1991, John and Karen Vallely lost their daughter Erin to cancer at the age of 12.
“As `Dribble For The Cure’ approaches its third year, I am thrilled with last year’s results and look forward to an even greater performance on Nov. 7,” Vallely said. “Everyone who has attended this event the last two years has truly enjoyed their experience. How can you beat a morning of making a difference in the world of children’s cancer and meeting the coaches and players for the UCLA women’s and men’s basketball teams? Please join us as an individual, or form a team, as we dribble through the beautiful UCLA campus, completing our journey to the floor of Pauley Pavilion. As we continue our efforts to raise money to find a cure for pediatric cancer, I hope to see you on Nov. 7 for our terrific event.”
For more information and to register for UCLA’s “Dribble For The Cure III” event on Nov. 7, CLICK HERE or call 949-859-6312 or 800-354-7273.
Dribble For The Cure III/Sunday, Nov. 7/Pauley Pavilion
Schedule
8:30 a.m. – Registration
10:00 a.m. – Welcome Ceremony at Drake Stadium
10:15 a.m. – Start Line “Dribble For The Cure III”
11:15 a.m. – Finish Line Celebration at Pauley Pavilion