St. John's University Athletics
St. John’s Basketball Programs Host Dribble for Victory Over Cancer
9/24/2022 1:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Red Storm has raised nearly $1 million for cancer research since 2011
QUEENS, N.Y. – The St. John's men's and women's basketball programs hosted the 12th annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer on Saturday, raising nearly $50,000 to help fight childhood cancers. Proceeds support the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Since its inception at St. John's in 2011, Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has now raised nearly $1 million to help support the work of Dr. Mitchell Cairo, Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at New York Medical College.
"When I first started, the cure rate of childhood cancer was less than 20 percent," said Cairo. "The money that has been raised during these events has transformed that number to nearly an 85 percent cure rate for children against cancer."
The event began with a festival on Carnesecca Plaza that included student-athletes from many of the Red Storm's 17 varsity sports.
Before the participants took a dribbling lap of campus, Associate Head Coach TJ Cleveland addressed the crowd on behalf of the St. John's men's basketball program.
"We thank you all for being here to support the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the tremendous work of Dr. Cairo," said Cleveland. "It's an honor to be part of a university that cares about the community and continues to reach out in the community."
Next to the podium was Joe Tartamella, the longtime Red Storm women's basketball head coach who has been a part of Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at St. John's since its inception.
"I've had the honor of being at all 12 Dribble for Victory Over Cancer events at St. John's," said Tartamella. "It's been an incredible journey as a University. To see the smiles on kids faces, to see those that are in remission or recovered fully, that's really the true beauty of this."
Since its founding in 1982, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has raised more than $50 million and funded more than 30 research institutions. Thanks in large part to the efforts of PCRF and like-minded organizations, survival rates from childhood cancers have risen from 10 percent to nearly 85 percent during that same period.
Inspired by its co-founder and namesake, Jim Valvano, the V Foundation has awarded $260 million in cancer research grants since its inception in 1993. 100 percent of donations to the V Foundation go directly to cancer research.
Since its inception at St. John's in 2011, Dribble for Victory Over Cancer has now raised nearly $1 million to help support the work of Dr. Mitchell Cairo, Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at New York Medical College.
"When I first started, the cure rate of childhood cancer was less than 20 percent," said Cairo. "The money that has been raised during these events has transformed that number to nearly an 85 percent cure rate for children against cancer."
The event began with a festival on Carnesecca Plaza that included student-athletes from many of the Red Storm's 17 varsity sports.
Before the participants took a dribbling lap of campus, Associate Head Coach TJ Cleveland addressed the crowd on behalf of the St. John's men's basketball program.
"We thank you all for being here to support the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the tremendous work of Dr. Cairo," said Cleveland. "It's an honor to be part of a university that cares about the community and continues to reach out in the community."
Next to the podium was Joe Tartamella, the longtime Red Storm women's basketball head coach who has been a part of Dribble for Victory Over Cancer at St. John's since its inception.
"I've had the honor of being at all 12 Dribble for Victory Over Cancer events at St. John's," said Tartamella. "It's been an incredible journey as a University. To see the smiles on kids faces, to see those that are in remission or recovered fully, that's really the true beauty of this."
Since its founding in 1982, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has raised more than $50 million and funded more than 30 research institutions. Thanks in large part to the efforts of PCRF and like-minded organizations, survival rates from childhood cancers have risen from 10 percent to nearly 85 percent during that same period.
Inspired by its co-founder and namesake, Jim Valvano, the V Foundation has awarded $260 million in cancer research grants since its inception in 1993. 100 percent of donations to the V Foundation go directly to cancer research.
St. John's Media Availability 5.18.2026
Monday, May 18
Postgame Press Conference St. John's vs Duke 3.27.2026
Friday, March 27
St. John's Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference NCAA Sweet Sixteen vs Duke 3.26.2026
Thursday, March 26
St. John's Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Round 2 postgame Press Conference 3.22.26
Sunday, March 22