The 11th Annual V Foundation Wine Celebration, which took place Aug. 7-8, raised a total of $2.3 million for critical cancer research.

Some 440 people attended the event, a signature fundraiser for the late legendary sportscaster and coach Jim Valvano’s V Foundation, held at Nickel & Nickel winery.

The guests were treated to a rousing speech by Duke coaching legend Mike “K” Krzyzewski, who shared his personal experiences at the 2008 Olympics, and fond memories of his friend Jim Valvano, urging everyone in the room to bid big, “…because cancer doesn’t recognize a recession.” With the crowd on notice, auctioneer David Reynolds took his place on stage and opened the bidding.

Featuring items ranging from private yachting excursions to Superbowl VIP experiences, the Saturday night gala auction exceeded last year’s totals. The top lot, “Miner Magic,” brought $110,000 for more than 70 large-format bottles donated by local vintners in honor of colleague Emily Miner. Miner, who has been waging a battle with lung cancer for the last 18 months, was visibly moved by the bidding and the announcement of a $1 million SPORE grant for lung cancer research pledged in her name by The V Foundation.

Since the V Foundation Wine Celebration was first held in 1998, it has raised more than $30 million for research efforts to address a wide variety of cancers.

Source: St. Helena Star
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2009/09/08/news/local/doc4a9ed0de765b9025193070.txt