FLEMING ISLAND – When you walk through the doors at V Pizza, it’s more than just ordering your favorite cheesy wheel. It’s also about giving back. 

Located at 4477 U.S. Highway 17, the Fleming Island location is one of the franchise’s 13 involved in V for Victory, a charitable nonprofit dedicated to providing critical everyday services to adults, children and families battling cancer.  

It’s the only nonprofit in the country that provides help to any age and diagnosis. Whether it be hot meals, an oil change, lawn and tire maintenance, installing new air conditioning units or transportation, Executive Director Ashley Cetin said the nonprofit assists in making the lives of warriors easier during tough times. 

“They’ve been able to focus more on healing and spending time with their family, because we really meet them on their everyday needs,” she said.

The nonprofit was started in 2017 by a V Pizza owner after his 3-year-old son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  

“He saw directly how cancer has an impact on the entire family,” Cetin said. 

During every dine-in experience on Fleming Island, customers can donate to the cause. 

“The store raises money for us, too, like all of our other stores. Warriors eat there, and you can also go there, donate and purchase [merchandise],” Cetin said. 

Each week the restaurants prepare meals for nearby families, and many visit in-person or request delivery to their home or the hospital. Every month, families also receive cards for free pizza.

In addition to holiday fundraising events, Cetin said V for Victory also hosts their annual Superbowl Sunday event. This year, the nonprofit raised over $400,000.  

So far this year, the nonprofit has served over 1,600 families, including 900 locally.

Orange Park’s Sherrie Luke has been a warrior since 1995, first battling thyroid cancer. Two years ago, she was diagnosed again with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 

Luke said she was having a bad week when someone told her about V for Victory. 

“I had a fall, I couldn’t get up and fix anything, and I was just miserable,” she said. “And V for Victory sent a week’s worth of meals to my house.” 

Ever since then, Luke said she has been the nonprofit’s biggest advocate. When she needed grab bars in her shower, they were there. When she needed peer guidance, they were there.  

“They listen to what your need is, and they try to supply the need. Even if it isn’t something on their list,” she said. 

Luke said she’s heavily involved in the nonprofit’s online support group, where she, and others, can ask questions and get around-the-clock guidance from people who are going through the same thing. 

Anyone can apply for the program and V for Victory doesn’t ask for proof of financial income. 

“We know how a financial situation can change for anyone battling cancer. The only thing that we ask for is that letter of treatment by the medical provider.” 

V for Victory has various programs for their warriors. Cetin said for pediatric warriors, V for Victory has a Lego store in San Marco. Anytime one goes to receive treatment, they receive a token that can be used to shop at the private store. 

“That’s a huge program,” she said. 

Additionally, Cetin said the nonprofit recently introduced its new Ascension St. Vincent’s Business Partner Program. 

“Whether that’s a restaurant or a hair stylist, we ask those businesses to provide one service, one time a month, to one family.” 

She said that they’ve had more than 500 local partners join so far. 

Luke said V for Victory helped to provide her with the perfect wig when she first began chemotherapy. 

The biggest thing they’ve done for her, however, was provide her with a free opportunity to take her obituary photos. 

Not only did it save her the cost, but she said it helped her, and her loved ones, peacefully come to terms with her diagnosis. 

“It’s hard a lot of times to talk to your family about it, especially when you are terminal. You need to talk to someone who understands,” she said.  

Cetin said that anyone can get involved with V for Victory. In addition to finding warriors in need, she said they are also looking for volunteers, donors and business partners to help further the mission. 

“They are the warriors,” Luke said.