In 1993, basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jim Valvano gave a memorable speech at the ESPY Awards. At that time, Valvano was fighting cancer, a battle which he lost just eight weeks after giving one of the most inspirational speeches in sports history. He encourage people to laugh, think, and cry. “To me, there are three things we all should do every day. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is cry. You should have your emotions moved to tears. If you laugh, you think, and you cry…that’s a full day. That’s a heck of day.” This sentiment, to ‘laugh, think, and cry’ was the theme for the 18th annual V Foundation Wine Celebration, which took place in Napa over the weekend. The V Foundation for Cancer Research was created after Valvano’s death. It has funded mored than $150 million in grants that research cancer cures. The Wine Celebration, a three day event filled with dinners and discussions, is the foundation’s biggest benefit that brings together 500 members of the sports broadcasting, investment, medical, entertainment, and winemaking worlds.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
The laugh, think, cry theme played an important role throughout out the weekend. “There was much laughter on Friday at the Rock The V Party, much thought on Saturday at the Answer for Cancer Research Symposium and many tears at the Saturday night gala at Nickel & Nickel winery,” explained Julie Allegro, the founder and chair of the V Foundation Wine Celebration. “It was one heck of a weekend.” The gala was hosted by CBS and HBO sports commentator Lesley Visser who started things off by explaining why she was there. “It comes down to one sentence,” she said. “Dollars equal research equal cure.” Joe Theismann, a football legend, sportscaster, and friend of Valvano, was the special guest speaker. Theismann thanked the doctors, “the real heroes who sacrifice so many years of their lives. They never stop. He called cancer “nasty” but believes it is defeat-able. “I believe in our lifetime we will see a cure for cancer. Not a treatment for cancer, but a cure for cancer.” Theismann was with Valvano at the 1993 ESPY Awards and to this day, he carries a copy of Valvano’s speech in his briefcase.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Auctioneer John Curley called the live auction, which included 32 spectacular lots with magnums of Alpha Omega, experiences with winemakers, like a fashion show at Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo’s home with designer Rubin Singer, and tickets to the Super Bowl. McCalls Catering served up a sensational meal that featured a savory turnip panna cotta, delectable quail confit, grilled dijon coated lamb chops and Merguez sausage with ratatouille, and a cheese course with local cheese. An after party featured a dessert lounge and tunes by Grammy Award-winning Eagles guitarist, Don Felder. $5.2 million were raised at the event which was attended by the following notable figures: George Bodenheimer, Nick Valvano, Susan Braun, Dr. Jonathan Simons, Dr. Robert Bast, Jr., Gary Newell, and Beth Nickel.
Shari and Garen Staglin, proprietors of Staglin Family Vineyard, hosted V Foundation Wine Celebration guests at their home for an exclusive dinner.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Dr. Robert Bast, vice president for translational research at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff gr…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Raymond Vineyards proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset introduces Amy Marks Dornbusch, proprietor and president at Gemstone Vineyard and V Foundation board…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
The V Foundation Wine Celebration gala dinner took place at Nickel & Nickel winery on August 6, 2016.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Cindy and Evan Goldberg, a V Foundation board member, attended the Hall of Fame Luncheon at Far Niente Winery, part of the V Foundation Wine Celebrati…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Far Niente Winery hosted the Hall of Fame lunch on August 4, which kicked off the V Foundation Wine Celebration weekend of events.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Beth Nickel, proprietor of Far Niente Winery with Stephen Silver at the V Foundation Wine Celebration’s Hall of Fame luncheon hosted by Far Niente Win…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Political consultant James Carville and Launny Steffens, at an exclusive winery dinner at Vineyard 7&8 as part of the V Foundation Wine Celebration. L…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Spottswoode Estate hosted the Humanitarian & Founders Dinner, part of the V Foundation Wine Celebration.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Frank Lonergan, Wes Steffens, Weezie Steffens, Launny Steffens, and Julie Allegro, founder and chair of The V Foundation Wine Celebration, at the Pres…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Guests at the Presidents Club and Vintner Grant Honoree Luncheon at Raymond Estate, part of the V Foundation Wine Celebration, toast each other.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Michael Heywood, Michael Winkler (CEO), and David Goldsmith of Bentley Motors at the Presidents Club and Vintner Grant Honoree Luncheon at Raymond Est…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Beth Nickel, Diana Zapolski, Lauren Ackerman, and Blakesley Chappellet at Rock The V Party showcasing the All Stars of Research, part of the V Foundat…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
John Anthony and Michele Truchard at Rock The V Party showcasing the All Stars of Research, part of the V Foundation Wine Celebration.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Rick and Elaine Jones of Jones Family Vineyard pour their wine at the Rock The V Party showcasing the All Stars of Research, part of the V Foundation…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Julie, founder and chair of The V Foundation Wine Celebration, Joe Theismann, and Stephen Silver on stage with members of The V Foundation for Cancer…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Frank and Jessica Lonergan at the Rock The V Party showcasing the All Stars of Research, part of the V Foundation Wine Celebration.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Cindy and Jim Weber, owner of Diamondbacks attended the V Foundation Wine Celebration gala dinner at Nickel & Nickel.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Stephen Silver and Beth Nickel at the V Foundation Wine Celebration gala dinner at Nickel & Nickel.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Models wear Rubin Singer designs to promote auction lot #16, Surrealist Gems of Napa Valley, featuring a private fashion show and dinner at Jean-Charl…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff on stage with Shari and Garen Staglin of Staglin Family Vineyard. Garen auctioned off his own lot, #25, which include…
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Evan and Cindy Goldberg place a winning bid at the V Foundation Wine Celebration gala dinner at Nickel & Nickel.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Nickel and Nickel winery served as host once again for the V Foundation Wine Celebration gala dinner.
Photo Credit: Bob McClenahan
Kerri Stenson, Jessica Lonergan, Kendra Stewart and Cindy Goldberg at Rock The V Party showcasing the All Stars of Research, part of the V Foundation…