Jaime Valvano, at left, of the V Foundation for Cancer Research and three representatives from Hooters of Orange County present a check to USC Norris Director Stephen B. Gruber, second from left. Also pictured, from Gruber’s left, are Zul Surani, executive director of the HSC Community Partnerships Office in Civic Engagement, Jordyne Chessmore and Shelby Tweeten of Hooters, Elena Nieves, Clinical Trials Outreach and Enrollment coordinator, and Melissa Fry, director of marketing for Hooters.

Jaime Valvano, daughter of the late basketball coach Jim Valvano, who founded the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and three representatives from Hooters visited USC Norris on Aug. 13 to meet with Stephen B. Gruber, MD, PhD, MPH, director of USC Norris.

The goal of the program is to increase minority accruals into USC’s breast cancer clinical protocols through the Clinical Investigations Support Office led by Anthony El-Khoueiry, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Other key participants include Research Coordinator Elena Nieves, Zul Surani, executive director of the HSC Community Partnerships Office in Civic Engagement, and Julie Lang, MD, a breast surgeon and associate professor at the Keck School who supports patient education and enrollment efforts.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1983 by Jim Valvano, the head basketball coach at North Caroline State University, who died of cancer in 1993. His “don’t give up … don’t ever give up!” mentality was an instrumental aspect of Valvano’s battle against his cancer, and the V Foundation carries on that legacy.

The V Foundation’s research program is guided by an all-volunteer scientific advisory board comprised of physicians and research scientists from prominent universities and cancer centers nationwide who review and recommend top-rated projects for funding. Over years, the V Foundation supported a number of USC Norris physicians and scientists with cancer research grants.