About Us
Kentuckiana Friends of V
Kentuckiana Friends of V is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising local and national funds for cancer research while supporting cancer related initiatives, including prevention, education, and screening.
The goal of the Kentuckiana Friends of V is to fund cancer research initiatives in Kentucky and surrounding areas, in the hopes of finding a cure for cancer. We work with both the James Graham Brown Cancer Center at the University of Louisville, and the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, to help get promising research programs off the ground and gain exposure for larger funding groups.
We also will give an annual donation to The V Foundation for Cancer Research,
in partnership with the national foundation, as we work towards Jim Valvano’s
goal of finding a cure.
The state of Kentucky has the highest cancer rate in the United States according to CDC’s Cancer Statistics. While we celebrate Kentucky's #1 status in many areas, the national cancer rate is not one of them. Help us change this!
Beneficiaries
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Funded and coordinated the largest single site free prostate cancer screening in the USA at the Kentucky State Fair (2,000 screenings).
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Established the Angela Valvano Memorial research classroom at Kosher Children’s Hospital.
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Donated over $500,000 in the fight against cancer.
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Funded research at Kosair Children’s Hospital on why certain cancers spread more quickly in children than adults.
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Funded research at Brown Cancer Center on detecting lung cancer through noninvasive, cost effective breathalyzer testing.
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Helped fund the “Talking Card” tool for colorectal screening. Check it out here.
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Contributed $2500 to the Markey Cancer Center's ACTION program for Appalachian Kentucky high school and undergraduate students enrolled at UK. Provides experience in cancer research, clinical, outreach and educational experiences to enrich their interest in pursuing a cancer-focused career.
Future Goals
(with your help!)
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Create and fund the Pratt Scholar Program with the Markey Center
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Create and fund a Scholar Program with the Brown Center (name tbd)
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Donate to a research grant at Brown Cancer Center.
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Organize and run future free prostate cancer screenings at Kentucky State Fair.