The 2025 JVA World Challenge and 18s Championship united 1,100 teams from across the country under a mission to support two very important causes: the fight against childhood cancer and breast cancer. Friday was designated “Chasing Gold” and Saturday was designated “Dig Pink”, so the courts were filled with athletes, coaches and spectators displaying their support for each cause by wearing gold and pink on each respective day. Participants also showed support through donations to Cal’s Angels Pediatric Cancer Foundation and The Side-Out Foundation who work tirelessly to change the narratives of the diseases that take so many lives each year.
The JVA has been a proud supporter of The Side-Out Foundation for over 11 years, raising awareness and funding for the organization’s mission to advocate for metastatic breast cancer patients in the hopes of saving lives. The Side-Out Foundation supports research specifically for patients with metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced form of the disease, and the least funded area of research. Every $2,000 raised through Dig Pink allows Side-Out to provide an unprecedented analysis to metastatic breast cancer patients and their oncologists. This unique analysis ranks treatment solutions and clinical trials for each patient that can substantially improve the length and quality of their life.
“The partnership between the Side-Out Foundation and JVA represents the best of what can happen when athletic communities rally around a vital cause. Year after year, JVA’s support has had an incredible impact on helping to fund Side-Out’s targeted research initiatives for patients living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, the most advanced and challenging form of the disease. It is clear to me that JVA understands the value that our great sport can bring to their communities outside the lines. Through their enduring partnership with the Side-Out Foundation, JVA demonstrates that volleyball is not just about competition and athletic excellence, but also about building compassion, raising awareness, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those battling metastatic breast cancer. This commitment to community service teaches young athletes that their influence extends far beyond the court—that they have the power to serve others with the same passion they bring to the game. By championing our cause, JVA is helping to nurture a generation of volleyball players who understand that their greatest victories may come from the lives they touch off the court,” said Ellen Dempsey, Executive Director of the Side-Out Foundation.
In June of 2005, Cal Sutter, a 12-year old South Elgin Little League All-Star, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. The battle with pediatric cancer is a horrible nightmare no child or family should ever have to experience. Yet, like most children, Cal never gave up hope and through it all, he was always more concerned about the well-being of the other children fighting cancer than he was about himself. Even though Cal ultimately lost his battle with leukemia in August of 2006, the courage he displayed throughout his treatment inspired the start of Cal’s All-Star Angel Foundation, Inc. (Cal’s Angels).
It is the mission of Cal’s Angels to grant wishes, raise awareness and fund research to help kids fighting cancer. Government funding for pediatric cancer research is a small fraction of the overall cancer research budget, with only 4% of all government-allocated cancer research funds allocated towards pediatric cancer research. Cal’s Angels has raised $33 million since its founding in April of 2007 because of generous donors and supporters enabling them to bring unbelievable amounts of hope and support to thousands of pediatric cancer patients and their families.
“Our sincere appreciation to the JVA for embracing the idea of bringing GOLD to the World Challenge community in Louisville and for embracing pediatric cancer awareness. That first serve was powerful. Now, united, let’s rally to conquer this disease. Your continued support helps us achieve our mission and we are grateful to every one of you,” said Stacey Wahlberg Co-Founder, President of Cal’s Angels.
JVA is continuing to raise money for each foundation. Click the link below to make a heartfelt donation.
Cal’s Angel’s Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Side-Out Foundation Dig Pink Rally
About Cal’s Angels
Cal’s Angels is a 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation with a mission of granting wishes, raising awareness & funding research to help kids fighting cancer. It is the only pediatric organization partnering with the Big 10 Cancer Research Consortium, and has currently funded over 4 million in research.Until we hear the words “There is A Cure for Cancer” we will continue to fight on behalf of these young warriors and their families. We ask you to join us in the W.A.R. on pediatric cancer… together we CAN make a difference! For more details, visit calsangels.org/
About the Side-Out Foundation
The Side-Out Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Fairfax, VA that unifies the volleyball community to drive change in the way breast cancer is treated. Support through its program, Dig Pink®, raises money for critical research of late-stage metastatic breast cancer. Supported by all facets of the volleyball community, Side-Out has raised more than $16 million for research on the disease. Volleyball coaches across the country use Side-Out’s Dig Pink programs as team-building experiences that reinforce the role that volleyball has played off the volleyball court. For more details, visit side-out.org.
