Last month during the 16th annual Dick Vitale Gala, the V Foundation for Cancer Research announced that Duane Mitchell, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute, assistant vice president for research at UF and co-leader of the UF Health Cancer Center’s Cancer Therapeutics & Host Response research program, will receive additional support for his research on brain cancer in children. This generosity will allow for Mitchell’s study to move toward clinical trials. Mitchell is also the co-director of the Preston A. Wells Jr. Center for Brain Tumor Therapy.
“I am extremely grateful that Dick Vitale and the V Foundation share our vision to make a transformative impact on children’s lives,” said Mitchell, who was first presented the grant in 2017. “This research is the culmination of years of hard work. I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity.”
University of Florida head football coach Dan Mullen was also recognized at this year’s gala. Dan and his wife, Megan, lead the Mullen Family 36 Foundation, which focuses on education, scholarship, arts, athletics and health care for children in need.
The mission of the Dick Vitale Gala is to raise funds for premiere pediatric cancer research across the nation, while simultaneously promoting awareness of pediatric cancer and how devastating it is to children and their families.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded more than $260 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee.