Kay Yow Cancer Fund Awards $1.25 Million Women’s Cancer Research Grant at the 2015 ESPYS

July 15, 2015

Los Angeles – The Kay Yow Cancer Fund®, in partnership and collaboration with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, presented a $1.25 million ovarian cancer research grant to the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute during the 2015 ESPYS, held in Los Angeles at the Microsoft Theater.

The late North Carolina State Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kay Yow received the inaugural Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance in 2007, the same year she founded the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to support women’s cancer research.

“Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women and the most common cause of gynecologic cancer death,” said Susan Donohoe, Executive Director of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “The Kay Yow Cancer Fund Research Grant Committee and The V Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee reviewed the proposal from Dr. Martine Extermann, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist in the Senior Adult Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, and felt strongly that the research project is very meritorious of this funding. Support for research projects such as this is critical as we continue to search for a cure.”

The $1.25 million grant will enable Moffitt to continue its research focused on the personalization of care of aging women with ovarian cancer, led by Dr. Extermann.

“I’m honored to receive such a generous award from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund,” said Dr. Extermann. “With this support, we hope to better understand why ovarian cancer is more aggressive in older women and find treatments to fight those deleterious age-related mechanisms so that these women can live longer.”

“This generous grant will allow Moffitt to continue its tradition and mission to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer,” said Alan F. List, M.D., president and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center. “The Kay Yow Cancer Fund recognizes the importance of Dr. Extermann’s work and I am thrilled that she will have the support needed to continue her research.”

Before her death, Coach Yow joined forces with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research to found the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising funds for scientific research, assisting the underserved and unifying people for a common cause.

“Coach Yow’s vision and mission for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund was to support research to enhance the quality of life of those individuals battling cancer and to help find a cure. This research grant will continue the legacy of Coach Yow and the Fund’s mission of supporting women’s cancer research,” said Stephanie Glance, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Columbia University and President of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund previously announced a $250,000 grant to Moffitt Cancer Center in conjunction with the 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four. The additional $1M grant is awarded based on the merits of this ovarian cancer research project. Since its inception, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, has awarded $5.18 million in support of women’s cancer research.

About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on Dec. 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization’s namesake Kay Yow, former NC State University head women’s basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on Jan. 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising funds for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund or to make a donation, please visit www.KayYow.com. Follow the Kay Yow Cancer Fund on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Moffitt is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the top-ranked cancer hospital in the Southeast and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Hospitals” for cancer since 1999. With more than 4,500 employees, Moffitt has an economic impact on the state of nearly $1.6 billion. For more information, visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the Moffitt momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the foundation has funded more than $130 million in cancer research grants nationwide. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from events support all the work of The V Foundation. Due to generous donors, the foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process vetted by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

About The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game as a sport for women and girls. For more information on the WBCA, please visit www.wbca.org.

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