V Foundation Wine Celebration Raises $3.9 Million for Cancer Research

Dynamic “Good Morning America” Host Robin Roberts Headlined Lively Napa Party Resulting in Generous Support for Late Jim Valvano’s Eponymous Foundation for Cancer Research.

Frankie Vallie

At the close of the evening Frankie Vallie crooned “Oh What Night!,” which could not have been more appropos — in four hours the V Foundation Wine Celebration had raised a total of $3.9 million for cancer research at a tenth annual gala that included both silent and live auctions as well as a Fund-a-Need effort dedicated to children’s cancer research efforts.

Robin Roberts, the popular Good Morning America host who has recently shared her own breast cancer experience with the world during her morning appearances was glowing as she took the stage as the evening’s keynote speaker, citing her mother as her inspiration to share her own story with the world by, “Making my mess my message.”

A colleague of Jimmy V’s at ESPN, Ms. Roberts shared that it was she who took the stage immediately after Valvano’s now famous speech at the ESPY Awards where he urged viewers to continue to fight to find a cure. “My proudest moment at ESPN was being there for Jim that night,” said Roberts before encouraging guests to dig deep and raise their paddles to support the research grants the evening’s proceeds help to fund.

And dig deep they did. The Fund A Need that evening was dedicated to the research efforts of UCSF pediatric oncologist Kate Matthay who received a $1 million grant for her studies in neurblastoma.

Bob and Kay Lloyd. Mr. Lloyd is Chairman of the V Foundation for Cancer Research and a founding member of the organization as well as being a member of the V Wine Celebration Board.

Henk Rogers takes top bid on a joint lot featuring Corison wine and TaylorMade custom golf clubs

At the end of the night the tally stood at $3.9 million dollars, including two $1 million gifts: one for an additional grant for research in pediatric cancer, and the second for the V Foundation Endowment Fund. Roberts was visibly moved by another surprise pledge of $100,000 made in her name by ESPN. The money will be directly applied to ongoing breast cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Beth Nickel, owner of Nickel & Nickel winery, and Diane Sherman (right), Executive Director of V Foundation in California.

The evening marked the tenth anniversary for the event, which has been hosted by Nickel & Nickel winery for the past several years. Michael Chiarello created an elegant menu featuring local seasonal produce and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons entertained the crowd following the live auction, which was masterfully presided over by noted wine auctioneer David Reynolds.

David Reynolds

For information regarding the V Foundation Wine Celebration, including links to the V Foundation homepage please visit www.winecelebration.org

Frank and Jessica Lonnergan

Steve and Marilyn Rivera

Katie Jackson and friends

Harry and Brenda Mittelman

Blakesley and Cyril Chappellet partnered with Audi on one of the night’s top lots.

Bob and Kay Lloyd

All Photos by Thomas Gibbons