The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, announced the 2024 V Foundation Wine Celebration, presented by JaM Cellars, and held August 1 - 4, 2024 in the Napa Valley, raised $10.5 million. Since 1999, the Wine Celebration has raised over $168 million to support the V Foundation and its research to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives.

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L-R: V Foundation Chief Executive Officer Shane Jacobson, Spirit of Jimmy V Award Winner and former ESPN President George Bodenheimer, Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski at the V Foundation Wine Celebration Gala Dinner & Auction. (Photo: Business Wire)

Hosted by Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, the legendary former Head Coach of Duke University Men’s Basketball and V Foundation Board Member, the 26th annual Wine Celebration entertained and educated over 500 guests in the heart of the Napa Valley. V Foundation founder Jim Valvano’s iconic ‘Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!® legacy was highlighted throughout the weekend.

The 2024 V Foundation Wine Celebration kicked off on Thursday, August 1, with the Dinner with the Docs, where guests interacted with both V Foundation grantees and the oncology experts from the V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee.

The President’s and Vintner Grant Honoree Luncheon at Stanly Ranch on Friday celebrated 2024 Vintner Grant Honoree Ellie Anest, Founder & CEO, Eleven Eleven Winery, and announcement of a grant in honor of Wine Celebration Board Member and Tony-award winning Broadway performer Christian Hoff, recognizing his contributions to the cancer research community. The grant was awarded to Jonathan Peled, M.D., Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The Rock the V party at Estate Yountville, featuring famed restaurateurs, chefs and vintners, plus a barrel auction, and the ever-popular Silent Disco.

At Saturday’s Krzyzewski Family Answer for Cancer Symposium, guests learned first-hand from V grantees about advances in cancer research. The Gala Dinner & Auction, held at Nickel & Nickel Winery, was hosted by Mike Krzyzewski, V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson, Event Chairwoman Amy Marks Dornbusch and Chris Spatola, ESPN college basketball analyst. Gala Chef Dustin Valette, owner of The Matheson, Valette Restaurant, and Valette Wines provided the gala dinner paired with Nickel & Nickel wines. George Bodenheimer, former ESPN President, was presented the “Spirit of Jimmy V Award” honoring his decades of service and passion for the V Foundation’s mission.

The live auction’s top lots included a VIP experience for eight at the US Open Semi-Finals and Finals in New York, hosted by vintner Beth Nickel at $1.6 million, a country music festival & BBQ with Blakesley and Cyril Chappellet for $300k, and a VIP Super Bowl LIX experience in New Orleans with the Staglin Family coming in at $200K. A winner was also selected for the Legend Motor Co. sweepstakes, who took home a custom-built Signature Series 4x4 vehicle.

The generosity continued through the Fund-a-Need dedicated to colorectal cancer research.

The 27th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration will be held July 31-August 3, 2025.

For more information on the V Foundation Wine Celebration, please visit winecelebration.v.org.

Tom Fuller/Monty Sander Fuller & Sander Communications 707-486-8968/707-480-8635 tom@fullerandsander.com/monty@fullerandsander.com