ESPYsGiving Back

ESPY Day reminds fans #DontEverGiveUp

For 21 years, ESPN has been a leader in the fight against cancer. Today, the company took that commitment one step further by announcing the launch of “ESPY Day Benefitting The V Foundation for Cancer Research” – a day-long, multiplatform fundraising initiative set for Wednesday, July 16.

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ESPY Day will include integrated fundraising messaging across platforms beginning at midnight with ESPNEWS simulcasts of ESPN Radio shows and culminating with a special simulcast of The 2014 ESPYS presented by Capital One on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. The simulcast will include fundraising elements and heavy social media integration of the hashtag #DontEverGiveUp, inspired by Jim Valvano’s iconic 1993 ESPYS speech. Throughout ESPY Day, viewers and listeners will be encouraged to donate to The V Foundation by calling 800-4-JimmyV or visiting www.jimmyv.org. To date, ESPY-related fundraising efforts for The V Foundation have raised more than $17 million for cancer research.

Senior Vice President, ESPN Audio Mo Davenport has led the charge for ESPY Day – fostering collaboration from employees across all parts of the company to bring the idea to fruition. Davenport spent a few minutes with Front Row explaining the importance of the initiative and how fans and viewers can get involved.

How did the idea for ESPY Day come about?
ESPN President John Skipper challenged our company’s leaders to think creatively about expanding our 21-year effort to raise money for cancer research. ESPY Day was born out of that challenge and offers all parts of our company an opportunity to unite around a single day of fundraising to find a cure for cancer. [The ESPYS are] the perfect platform to intensify our efforts with special content and integrated fundraising across ESPN networks, ESPN Radio and digital assets.

Why is this fundraising effort so important?
Our fundraising efforts are critical because we still do not have a cure for cancer – a disease that impacts so many of our friends, families, co-workers and loved ones. Since the start of The V Foundation in 1993, more than $115 million has been awarded to fund cancer research grants nationwide. In fact, The V Foundation awards 100% of donations directly to cancer research and related programs so that every dollar is immediately making an impact.

How can viewers participate?
We are encouraging fans to utilize the hashtag #DontEverGiveUp across social media platforms on ESPY Day to tell us who they never give up for. We’re also expanding our 10th annual ESPN Radio auction to include some incredible experiences, tickets, autographed items and a grand-prize, five-day, four-night experience at Super Bowl XLIV with the NFL and ESPN. Sweepstakes entries start at $20, offering viewers an easy way to join us in the fight against cancer.

For more details about ESPY Day, visit ESPN MediaZone. The 2014 ESPYS presented by Capital One will be televised live Wednesday, July 16, at 9 p.m. from Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Chelsea Lee contributed to this post

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