CHICAGO The arenafootball2 league (af2), always looking to lend a helping hand when needed, is proud to assist in the Arena Football Leagues V Week initiative that is being presented in conjunction with ESPN and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. AFL V Week is a special week-long effort to help raise awareness and donations for cancer research that will be active until Monday, April 28.

Were pleased to do our part to help the AFL, ESPN and The V Foundation in this cause, said af2 President Jerry Kurz. Cancer has affected so many people around the world, including members of the Arena Football family. I call upon the compassionate fans and friends throughout the af2 community to join us in the fight to sack cancer by donating today.

Donations can be made by calling 1-800-4JimmyV (454-6698) or by going online to The V Foundations Web site, www.jimmyv.org. All 29 af2 teams will assist in AFL V Week in Week 5 through a variety of promotion, including helmet decals on all players featuring The V Foundation logo and special in-arena announcements. The league Web site, www.af2.com, will also feature an AFL V Week logo and link to The V Foundation Web site.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc. is the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company with over 50 business entities. Sports media assets include ESPN on ABC, six domestic cable television networks, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine and other growing businesses, including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Products (wireless), ESPN On Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV.

About The V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $70 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

About The AF2

In Week 5 of its ninth season with a 29-team membership, af2 serves as a vehicle to bring Arena Football to small-to-midsize cities and as a developmental league with an unmatched history of sending players, coaches and officials to major professional football leagues each year. af2 operates under the same Mission Statement and Fans Bill of Rights as the Arena Football League, which is the midst of its 22nd season. Log on to www.af2.com for more information.