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Add Florida men’s basketball coach Mike White to those in the fight to support pediatric cancer research.
White attended ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale’s annual V Foundation gala last weekend in Sarasota and came away moved with some the stories presented. The gala raised $2.8 million for pediatric research and included testimonials from 15 pediatric cancer survivors.
“It just showed how passionately he cares about using his platform to fight cancer,” White said. “The work he does raising money for research is so important, but he’s also personally invested in the lives of the people whose stories he told. I’ve always had respect for Dickie V, but it grew even more after that experience.”
Former Florida coach Billy Donovan was the keynote speaker at Vitale’s V Foundation gala in 2009. This year’s keynote speakers were former Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan, former UF and current Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer and Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts.
In 11 years, Vitale’s gala has raised $18 million to fight cancer.
“Everyone who comes, they all pay for their own travel, their own hotel,” Vitale said. “It’s all to support pediatric cancer research.”
Other notes:
– Per ESPN.com’s Jeff Borzello, Gator transfer guard Brandone Francis-Ramirez plans to visit Texas Tech in early June.
Source: GatorSports.com - Hoops Scoop
