Jim Valvano Kids Klassic

The 2008 Jim Valvano Kids Klassic was presented by:

2008 Jim Valvano Kids Klassic was a HUGE Success

Our 2008 Jim Valvano Kids Klassic was held at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. 2008 marked our 23rd anniversary, and we are glad you were part of the celebration! For information about playing in the 2009 Jim Valvano Kids Klassic, contact us at dukekids@notes.duke.edu

On Friday evening guests enjoyed bidding on a wonderful array of silent auction items, dancing and the delicious creations of chef Giorgio Bakatsias. JVKK golf teams returned on Saturday for a very hot game of golf and a tremendous celebration dinner and live auction. Kudos to Don Shea and his team of volunteers for pulling together another fabulous event to benefit Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center.

Together we were able to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. A heartfelt thank you from all the kids at Duke to everyone who participated in this event. Thank you to the volunteers, sponsors and to all who donated items for our auctions. We could not do it without you!

"Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. It cannot take away my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul. All those three things are going to carry on forever...don’t ever, ever give up." Coach Jim Valvano

Those are the words of N.C. State University legend and former basketball coach, Jim Valvano, who never gave up hope that one day children would live in a world free of cancer.

"Sometimes you get discouraged when people, both children and adults, continue to be diagnosed with this dreaded disease," says Jim's wife, Pam Valvano. "I keep hearing Jim's words being whispered in my ear 'you can't give up.' We must keep going and hoping someday we'll find a cure."

One evening back in 1985, Jim Valvano was having dinner with Rufus Edmisten, Don Shea and a few close friends when he decided to put together an event to raise money for the cancer patients at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center.

Later that same year, 80 golfers "teed it up" to raise $12,000 for the children.

In 1996, the Kids Klassic teamed up with the V-Foundation with the goal of raising $1 million to build the Jim Valvano Day Hospital at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center. In April of 2000 the Day Hospital became reality. Today young children and adolescents alike sit side by side with family and friends as they are treated with the most advanced health care available.

Our tireless efforts are in honor of our beloved Jim Valvano. A championship coach at N.C. State, Valvano became a national celebrity with an ESPN broadcasting position, a cable talk/variety show, and even his own Italian cookbook.

But we remember 'Jimmy V' most as a friend and true advocate for children. That's why each year the Kids Klassic strives to keep Jim’s spirit alive. Over the years we have raised over $2 million.

Again today we join together to show our support and play a round of golf for all the right reasons. We are hoping for a cure so that all man kind, and especially children, can be free from cancer.

We have come together for the golf, for the camaraderie...but most of all for the children.