mistertripps
12-05-2007, 03:04 AM
Some of you guys may be too young to really remember Jim Valvano as coach of the NC State Wolfpack. What I remember the most was his crazy run around the court when they shocked the world with a last second miracle shot and won the national championship. I was living in southwest Virginia at the time and was a huge basketball fan (albeit a North Carolina Tarheel). I always thought he was a cool coach with a ton of emotion.
Even if you don't remember him as a coach, you've probably seen the tape of his speech at the 1993 Espy Awards when he was presented with the Arthur Ashe Lifetime Achievement award. It was during that speech that he announced the creation of the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Unfortunately, Jimmy V died a short time later without being able to reap the benefits that this foundation has now sown for the last 15 years.
My dad was diagnosed with lymphoma a few years ago. Something that would have been a death sentence at his age not too long ago. With the wonderful advances in cancer research, due in large part to the Jimmy V Foundation, my dad is cancer free today and doing more as a 70 year old man than most of us ever think about doing in our 20s and 30s.
I carry with me something that Jimmy V said during that speech that I wanted to share again with all of you. There are many great lines from the speech, but the best one concerns the three things we all should do everyday to live a happy, successful life. First, you should laugh. Laughter is one of the best things you can do for yourself on a regular basis. Second, you should think. Using your mind is the only way to keep it sharp. Third, your emotions should be moved to tears at some point every day. Whether it be tears of happiness, tears of sadness, or tears remembering someone who means a lot to you, allowing yourself to be emotional is one of the strongest cleansers your body can experience.
Sorry I've rambled on so long, but I wanted to share this during Jimmy V week in hopes that you will think about cancer research and the people you know who cancer has touched. As Jimmy said so eloquently, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
Even if you don't remember him as a coach, you've probably seen the tape of his speech at the 1993 Espy Awards when he was presented with the Arthur Ashe Lifetime Achievement award. It was during that speech that he announced the creation of the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Unfortunately, Jimmy V died a short time later without being able to reap the benefits that this foundation has now sown for the last 15 years.
My dad was diagnosed with lymphoma a few years ago. Something that would have been a death sentence at his age not too long ago. With the wonderful advances in cancer research, due in large part to the Jimmy V Foundation, my dad is cancer free today and doing more as a 70 year old man than most of us ever think about doing in our 20s and 30s.
I carry with me something that Jimmy V said during that speech that I wanted to share again with all of you. There are many great lines from the speech, but the best one concerns the three things we all should do everyday to live a happy, successful life. First, you should laugh. Laughter is one of the best things you can do for yourself on a regular basis. Second, you should think. Using your mind is the only way to keep it sharp. Third, your emotions should be moved to tears at some point every day. Whether it be tears of happiness, tears of sadness, or tears remembering someone who means a lot to you, allowing yourself to be emotional is one of the strongest cleansers your body can experience.
Sorry I've rambled on so long, but I wanted to share this during Jimmy V week in hopes that you will think about cancer research and the people you know who cancer has touched. As Jimmy said so eloquently, "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."