AFL to tackle cancer

The AFL, ESPN and The V Foundation for Cancer Research have created AFL V Week, a weeklong initiative to help raise awareness and donations for cancer research. It started Tuesday and continues through Monday. The V Foundation is named in honor of famed basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer. Donations can be made by calling 800-4jimmyv (454-6698) or by going online to www.jimmyv.org.

AFL V Week content will be incorporated into AFL and team communications, from press releases to website entries. A Public Service Announcement has been created and will be played on jumbotrons at all AFL games this week. All 17 AFL teams will participate in AFL V Week through a variety of outreach programs, including visits to local cancer-research hospitals. Week-9 game balls will feature The V Foundation logo. Players will wear a "V" decal on their helmets.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR