University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Maggie Hobson
Dribble For Victory Over Cancer Raises $122,000
February 16, 2026 | General, Men's Basketball, Student-Athlete Development
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – With Sunday having been International Childhood Cancer Day, Carolina Athletics is proud to announce its fourth-annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer event, held on Sept. 14, 2025, raised $122,000. That included a $25,000 gift from the men's basketball program from sales of the team's autograph balls.
The 2025 Dribble event brings UNC's four-year total to more than $405,000.
The event, in partnership with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, supports critical pediatric cancer research at UNC Children's Research Institute.
Tar Heel fans joined coaches, basketball players and other student-athletes to dribble a one-mile course around campus and concluded the day with a complimentary lunch provided by City Barbeque and Italian Pizzeria 3 pizza. Attendees registered and fundraised as individuals and teams to support groundbreaking cancer research at UNC.
Ian Davis, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at UNC Children's Research Institute and V Foundation grant recipient, spoke at the opening ceremony to share the impact of events like Dribble for cancer patients and their families. "It's amazing on multiple levels. The UNC community comes together to really support patients and the drive for new therapies in childhood cancer," said Dr. Davis. "This is so important for our families and our community."
The ceremony also recognized the top fundraisers and announced the day's "honorary captains," pediatric cancer patients and survivors, as well as families participating in honor of children they've lost.
Dribble for Victory Over Cancer began in 2008 at UCLA with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and has since spread to campuses nationwide, raising over $3.5 million for cancer research over the last 18 years. The V Foundation and Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation joined forces in 2022 to expand the program and have continued to fund exceptional pediatric cancer researchers at top institutions.
The event was also supported by the following dedicated partners: the Nick Strong Foundation, Article 41, CivicReach, Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, Langino Law, Chapel Hill Sportswear, Brandwein's Bagels, the Carolina Latinx Center, Chapel Hill Toffee, City BBQ, Italian Pizzeria III and Raising Canes.
UNC's fifth annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer will be held in the fall of 2026. For more information and to register, please click here.
About Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
Determined to transform pediatric cancer care via accelerating research breakthroughs, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has one goal: to make it possible for all children facing childhood cancer to beat their disease and realize their full potential. Overseen by scientific thought leaders, its rigorous and competitive process for awarding research grants has contributed to pivotal advancements in the areas of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Immunotherapy/CAR T cells, Osteosarcoma, Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity. Its actions and commitment are encapsulated in its inspiring motto: Powering Cures, Realizing Futures. For more information, please visit www.PCRF-kids.org or follow us @PCRF_KIDS.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. To learn more, visit v.org.
The 2025 Dribble event brings UNC's four-year total to more than $405,000.
The event, in partnership with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, supports critical pediatric cancer research at UNC Children's Research Institute.
Tar Heel fans joined coaches, basketball players and other student-athletes to dribble a one-mile course around campus and concluded the day with a complimentary lunch provided by City Barbeque and Italian Pizzeria 3 pizza. Attendees registered and fundraised as individuals and teams to support groundbreaking cancer research at UNC.
Ian Davis, M.D., Ph.D., a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at UNC Children's Research Institute and V Foundation grant recipient, spoke at the opening ceremony to share the impact of events like Dribble for cancer patients and their families. "It's amazing on multiple levels. The UNC community comes together to really support patients and the drive for new therapies in childhood cancer," said Dr. Davis. "This is so important for our families and our community."
The ceremony also recognized the top fundraisers and announced the day's "honorary captains," pediatric cancer patients and survivors, as well as families participating in honor of children they've lost.
Dribble for Victory Over Cancer began in 2008 at UCLA with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and has since spread to campuses nationwide, raising over $3.5 million for cancer research over the last 18 years. The V Foundation and Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation joined forces in 2022 to expand the program and have continued to fund exceptional pediatric cancer researchers at top institutions.
The event was also supported by the following dedicated partners: the Nick Strong Foundation, Article 41, CivicReach, Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation, Langino Law, Chapel Hill Sportswear, Brandwein's Bagels, the Carolina Latinx Center, Chapel Hill Toffee, City BBQ, Italian Pizzeria III and Raising Canes.
UNC's fifth annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer will be held in the fall of 2026. For more information and to register, please click here.
About Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
Determined to transform pediatric cancer care via accelerating research breakthroughs, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has one goal: to make it possible for all children facing childhood cancer to beat their disease and realize their full potential. Overseen by scientific thought leaders, its rigorous and competitive process for awarding research grants has contributed to pivotal advancements in the areas of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Immunotherapy/CAR T cells, Osteosarcoma, Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity. Its actions and commitment are encapsulated in its inspiring motto: Powering Cures, Realizing Futures. For more information, please visit www.PCRF-kids.org or follow us @PCRF_KIDS.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded nearly $400 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. To learn more, visit v.org.
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