People are always asking me about why I seem so obsessed about raising dollars to battle cancer.
Well, I am obviously very proud to be a member of the board of directors of the V Foundation.
I know Jimmy Valvano would be really smiling up in heaven knowing the fact that all his buddies have gone out and raised more than $100 million to battle a disease that affects you whether you are rich or poor, black or white, Christian, Jewish or Muslim. It doesn't matter; the disease can bring you to your knees.
VALVANO SPEECH: Read transcript, see video of inspiring ESPY's appearance
I just recently spoke to Brian Weber out of Shawnee, Kan., a big Kansas State fan. Several fans asked if I would call the dad. I can't stress to you the pain in his voice and the tears that were flowing when I got off the phone.
I told my wife, "All the things that we worry about and this dad was going to a funeral service that night for Lucy, his beautiful one-year old."
My heart goes out to every family and I've known so many people over the years that are fighting that battle. That is why year-after-year, the most meaningful thing to me in the last chapter of my life is raising dollars.
Our Dick Vitale Gala, honoring coaches such as Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight, Pat Summitt and Tony Dungy has raised over a million dollars each year.
But it is not enough and that is why I keep calling on people to help us because the dollars they donate might save the life of someone they love.
Research has worked beautifully. There are 12 million cancer survivors today. I'm doing the Syracuse game at the Jimmy V Classic and coach Jimmy Boeheim who is a cancer survivor. My buddy and colleague Digger Phelps is a cancer survivor. Jim Calhoun, on the sideline at Connecticut, is a cancer survivor.
They show that because of the research people are allowed to live a productive life.
That is why we must work and unite and put our dollars together to give them to the experts.
Last year we honored Tony Dungy and Tom Izzo at our gala but paid tribute to two young people who just brought the house down.
The first was Mark Herzlich, star linebacker for Boston College two years who came down with bone cancer in his leg. He was told he may not ever walk again.
But he told the crowd that doctors are experts in cancer but not always an expert in their patients. He said: "I will play again." And, oh, did he play. Sixty tackles this year, and his coaches said it was like a miracle to watch him perform.
And we honored this little youngster out of California: Jake Olson lost his vision to cancer but told the crowd, "It can't hold me back." He is writing books, and he is speaking.
Then there are those like my friends Patrick and Holly Wright who lost their daughter, Payton.
It was Holly who said it best. "Dickie V, I want to share this with you. The most difficult part of my life was when my little girl would say, 'Mommy, mommy I thought you loved me. Why do you let me go for those treatments. I hate those treatments.'" She would say because it will make you better when she knew what an uphill battle it was.
I told her we would not let her die in vain. We would raise money to help other kids. I can't thank my friends and coaches who have helped me over the years.
So, yes, I am obsessed. I have five grandchildren, and I am so selfish. I worry and worry every time an ache comes their way. You never know when that disease might hit. But if you have the dollars for research we might have a fighting chance.
I will tell cancer loud and clear we are not going away. So far $100 million is not enough. So if you want to help us just call 1-800-4JIMMYV or go to dickvitaleonline.com, and you can join us in our battle.
As Holly said at our event to all the coaches — from Pat Riley to Jay Wright to Tony Dungy to Rick Pitino to Coach K to John Calipari— "Coaches, coaches, you are going to lose a game in your coaching career and you'll feel it's the end of the world. But you will get another game to coach, but I am never, ever going to get a chance to coach my little girl Payton again."
And that my friends summarizes it the best.
As Jimmy said, "Don't give up, don't ever give up."