Thanks to the memory of Coach Jim Valvano, we are farther ahead in cancer research than we’ve ever been, yet we have so much further to go.
We lost Jim Valvano 21 years ago last April. What we didn’t lose, however, was his message. When he stood upon the stage to accept the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, he was frail, weak, yet with what fire he could muster, Jimmy V gave a speech for the ages…one that I’m sure no one expected would become so iconic long after his passing.
You see, Coach Valvano knew he was dying. He knew that his moment at the ESPYs would be one of his last. Despite what he knew to be true, he delivered one of the most important messages one can ever hear: “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up.“
I never get tired of watching that speech; honestly, who can? Every year, ESPN, in conjunction with the V Foundation for Cancer Research (which ESPN created with Coach Valvano in 1993) has ESPY Day, of which today is the last day. Donors have the opportunity to contribute to an auction, or simply donate whatever they can to the V Foundation.
To date the V Foundation has awarded more than $115 million to more than 120 facilities nationwide and proudly awards 100 percent of direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. It’s for this reason that I make sure I donate whatever I can, because when you think about it, each and every dollar is important.
Cancer touches every one of us. Whether it is a friend, family member or even ourselves. I lost my father in 2003 to Pancreatic Cancer, and my sister in 2011 to Lung Cancer. I’ve lost schoolmates, co-workers and other acquaintances over the years, and can expect to lose more as time goes on. But I know this: through the efforts of organizations such as the V Foundation, I know I will lose far less than I would’ve a decade ago, but not nearly as less as we’ll all lose 10 years from now, so long as we all continue to help out in the fight.
Coach Valvano set a tone for all of us to follow. As he said during the speech:
“Cancer can take away all of my physical abilities. It cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever.”
Please, please consider donating to the V Foundation for Cancer Research tonight. Any amount will do. It doesn’t matter if it’s $1,000 or $5. Do it for someone you love. Do it for someone you lost. Through your donation, let their memory mean something greater so that we all reach a future where cancer leaves us forever Never Daunted.