(RACINE, Wis.) – If you’re one of those fans who loves to boo officials, stop! Here’s a chance to cheer the men and women who wear stripes.

The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), a not-for-profit organization based in Racine, Wis., has partnered with The V Foundation for Cancer Research to "Blow the Whistle on Cancer."

The national campaign hopes to generate thousands of dollars for cancer research though individual donations from officials and fans.

This past weekend, NFL officials contributed to the campaign and NFL Charities matched the donations to the sum of $30,000.

"Officials across the United States play a pivotal role in the success of every organized sporting event be it on the professional, collegiate, high school, recreational, youth, senior, or any level," said Nick Valvano, CEO of the V Foundation. "This is an opportunity for sports officials, individually and collectively, to play a vital role in the fight against cancer."

The V Foundation is named after Jim Valvano, the successful basketball coach and an award-winning television commentator who died from cancer in 1992. In January 1993, ESPN offered its support in establishing a foundation that would fund cancer research. Upon receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the inaugural ESPY Awards show in March of that year, Valvano announced that ESPN was creating The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The organization today is inspired by his courageous battle against cancer and operates with his motto: "Don’t give up… Don’t ever give up!"

Although Valvano lost his battle with cancer on April 28, 1993, he had already set his dream of finding a cure for cancer in motion. The V Foundation has provided more than 165 grants amounting to more than $25 million since its founding.

Marcy Weston, NASO’s chairperson and the NCAA’s women’s basketball officiating coordinator, participated in a press conference with V Foundation representatives in New York in October. Also at the press conference were National Hockey League referee Paul Stewart and the National Football League’s Director of Officiating Mike Pereira – both cancer survivors. Several NASO members who lived nearby attended the press conference as well. They, too, are cancer survivors.

So why is an organization like NASO – officials, mind you – getting involved?

"First, cancer affects everyone in one way or another," said Weston. "We have either had it, are going to get it, or know someone who has it. Today all you have to do is look

at the numbers. Cancer affects one out of every two men and one out of every three women in this nation. When you consider those numbers – it is a personal issue – to each and every member of this association. So, we’re reaching out to our members, and non-members, asking them to help in this fight. There are thousands of men, women, boys and girls out there officiating youth games, high school, collegiate and even professional contests. We hope they will want to take part in this campaign."

"Participating in the campaign is an individual’s voluntary decision," explains NASO President Barry Mano. "Members can participate with personal donations, or their local officials’ association can get involved on a larger scale. We’re a national link between our members and The V Foundation."

If you want to learn more about the "Blow the Whistle on Cancer" campaign, contact The V Foundation at 800/454-6698.

Fans can participate by making a donation directly to The V Foundation. Send contributions to Blow the Whistle on Cancer, c/o The V Foundation, 100 Towerview Court, Cary, N.C. 27511.