ESPN has designated December 4 as Stuart Scott Day to honor the late anchor.
On Monday, the sports network announced that it's hosting its 13th annual V Week for Cancer Research from December 3 through December 14. Stuart Scott Day is a new initiative added to this year’s celebration. On this day, ESPN will play content “which depicts Scott’s love of life and perseverance through his fight with cancer and his consistent message to ‘never give up.'”
The former SportsCenter anchor was diagnosed with appendix cancer in November of 2007 and fought the disease until January of 2015 when he passed away at the age of 49.
V Week aims to bring awareness to the V Foundation for Cancer Research as well as raise funds for the organization. The foundation was founded by both ESPN and basketball coach Jim Valvano in 1993. Donations go directly to cancer research and related programs. Last year, $8.3 million was raised for the V foundation; a total of more than $30.5 million has been donated to the organization over the last 12 years, reports The Wrap.
“‘V Week’ leverages ESPN platforms and partners to drive awareness of the continued fight against cancer and generates donations to the V Foundation,” Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship, said in a statement. “This year, we celebrate our dear friend and colleague, and the 2014 Jimmy V Perseverance Award winner Stuart Scott, by honoring his courageous spirit to ‘Fight Like Hell.’”
While accepting the ESPY five years ago, Scott delivered a poignant message.
“When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live,” he said. “So live. Live. Fight like hell and when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you.”
On his designated day, ESPN will be selling a limited-edition Stuart Scott t-shirt from which all net proceeds will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
On December 7, the UFC is also hosting “Fight Like Hell” Night in honor of the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund. The research fund supports minority cancer research.
Other initiatives during V Week include the “Don’t Give Up On Me” anthem by singer Andy Grammar and “Ring The Bell To Knock Out Cancer” Night.