Napa Valley, CA, (July 24, 2024) – The V Foundation is proud to announce the upcoming Wine Celebration Gala Dinner and Auction on August 3, 2024 at Nickel & Nickel Winery in Oakville, California. The event will be hosted by legendary Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, former Duke Head Men’s Basketball Coach, along with Shane Jacobson, CEO, V Foundation and Amy Marks Dornbusch, Chair, Wine Celebration. They will be joined by Chef Dustin Valette, owner of The Matheson, Valette Restaurant, and Valette Wines for an incredible gala dinner paired with Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel wines. Just a few of the auction highlights include: a VIP Experience for four at the US Open Semi-Finals and Finals in New York, hosted by the renowned vintner Beth Nickel; a VIP Penfolds experience for four in Australia and Napa Valley, including attending the 2025 Melbourne Cup; and The Good Half movie premiere with Ellie Anest, Founder & CEO, Eleven Eleven Winery, and the 2024 V Foundation Vintner Grant Honoree. For a complete list of the 2024 Auction items, please visit winecelebration.v.org/In addition to the live auction, a unique sweepstakes is also running in partnership with Legend Motor Co. Every $500 donation gives guests the chance to win a custom-built Signature Series 4×4 vehicle designed just for this event. More details about the sweepstakes can be found here.
While all auction bids will directly benefit lifesaving cancer research through the V Foundation, there will be a special call-to-action during the evening’s Fund-A-Need portion, which is focused on colorectal cancer research. Although colorectal cancer deaths have been declining since 1985, more than 150,000 cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men and second for women under the age of 50. To date, the V Foundation has awarded 39 grants totaling over $8.9 million for colon and rectal cancer research, but an urgent need exists to continue improving treatment and detection tools for this disease.
“I am continually inspired by the dedication and longstanding support that drives the V Foundation community towards Victory Over Cancer®,” said Amy Marks Dornbusch, Chairwoman, Wine Celebration. “The research we invest in is working. We see new and better outcomes every year and as our ambition grows, so too will the results of our efforts. “
Since 1999, the V Foundation Wine Celebration has raised nearly $160 million to support the V Foundation and its game-changing research, led by all-star scientists who are working to accelerate victory over cancer and save lives. Currently holding 12 consecutive 4-star (highest) ratings from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, the V Foundation is among the top 2% of all charities evaluated. The V Foundation is also a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity.
To attend the Wine Celebration weekend or to learn more about this event, please visit winecelebration.v.org.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $353 million in cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation awards 100% of direct donations to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation’s endowment covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards research grants through a competitive review process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit v.org.
About the V Foundation Wine Celebration
Since 1999, the V Foundation Wine Celebration, benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research, has raised nearly $160 million for cancer research and related programs. This signature series of events in the stunning Napa Valley demonstrates that commitment, passion and giving become the catalyst for positive change. For more information, please visit winecelebration.v.org.
