The 2021 Dick Vitale Gala final fundraising numbers are in, and they are large.
The gala raised $6.5 million for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, specifically pediatric cancer.
“I am ecstatic over the support we have received during this challenging year,” Vitale said in a release. “We are proud to have hosted some big-time celebrities and honorees. On behalf of my team at Mary Kenealy Events and my wife Lorraine, I can’t tell you how appreciative we are of so many people that help kids battling cancer.
The gala has now raised more than $40 million for cancer research over its 16 years.
02/07/2021
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale is known for many things; his 1963-79 coaching career, his four decades and counting as a prominent ESPN analyst, hispassionforconcerts and Tampa sports (particularlyrelevant at the moment ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl LV), and his long–runningefforts to raise money for pediatric cancer research. Vitale’s latest endeavors on that front include his 15th annual Dick Vitale “Passion For Pediatrics” Gala last September (held virtually, it raised a record $7.4 million for the V Foundation, bringing that total to more than $37 million over 15 years), his upcoming 16th annual gala (planned for this May), and his repeateddonations of all of his proceeds from his books (most recently including “The Lost Season”). Vitale recently spoke to AA about his charitable work, and he said that’s what he cares about most at this point in his life (he’ll be 82 in June).