“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.”
Jimmy
Valvano, 1993 – announcing the Jimmy V Foundation
December 1-7 is Jimmy V week on ESPN. You may not know who Jimmy Valvano was, but if you have had the misfortune of knowing someone afflicted with cancer, the odds are he and his life’s mission impacted your life.
Jimmy Valvano was a successful basketball coach,
commentator, and author. He was a person
of strong conviction and personal drive.
At an early age he pulled out white index cards and began to write down
his personal goals for life. He wanted
to play high school and college basketball, he wanted to become an assistant
coach, go on to become a head coach, cut down the nets in Madison Square Garden
and win a National Championship. At age
36, he was able to pull out those cards and cross off every item on the
list. Throughout his life he developed a
personal philosophy which allowed an ordinary man to accomplish the
extraordinary. He was commented, “There
are 86,400 seconds in a day. It is up to
you to decide what to do with them.”
Jimmy V chose to cherish and make the most of each one.
After accomplishing his goals on the basketball court, he
explored new directions from writing to commentating. He was not interested in limiting himself to
a single profession. He embraced
diversity in his life and his interests.
In 1993, Jimmy Valvano was given an obstacle that would
prove to be his most difficult. He was diagnosed
with cancer. The cancer proved to be too
much for him to personally overcome, but through his vision and passion he has
inspired and continues to inspire funding for education and research to cure
cancer. At the time of his diagnosis,
cancer was an underfunded and devastating disease. His charismatic and infectious attitude
towards life and easy appeal to people made him an ideal person to raise the
awareness of cancer and its impacts on our world and to raise arms to find a
way to cure cancer. While no cure has
been found, through continued research many forms of treatment have been
developed. The Jimmy V Foundation has
risen over $100 million in the past 18 years to fund cancer awareness and
research.
Jimmy V is an inspiring person. His attitude towards life, even in the face
of overwhelming obstacles is something to admire.
Below is a video clip from the 1993 ESPY awards when he
received the Arthur Ashe award for Courage.
During his speech he announces the Jimmy V Foundation.
Below are highlights from the 1983 National
Championship. It was one of the most
exciting endings the tournament has ever seen.
What do you think of Jimmy Valvano, his life and his
mission? Do you have or are you
developing a personal philosophy for how you live your life? If so, would you mind sharing? Who inspires you to be a better person? What qualities do they possess you admire?
Grace-My brother Peter was diagnosed with leukemia at age five. My aunt died of skin cancer before I was born. My second grade teacher, my favorite teacher ever, had and still has breast cancer. My brother's friend Natalie, who used to go to my old school, also had leukemia at the same age. I know very well how cancer affects the lives of those who have it and their families. I love people like Jimmy who, despite the hardships in their lives, still choose to live their lives in an optimistic way. I also like people who set their minds to doing something and never give up on that something; they put their whole heart and soul into it. I love that! I don't think I have a philosophy yet, but my dad tells me no matter how much you dislike somebody, they still deserve a certain amount of respect. Oh I do kind of have a philosophy that I try to live by: don't dwell on self-pity, especially when you have so much others do not. My aunt Terri inspires me to be a better person. She is just so kind and thoughtful. She lives in Las Vegas, and when I was visiting once, we were driving down the road to her house. We took the wrong turn, and I wasn't sure why. The next thing I knew, she was outside giving her umbrella to an elderly woman walking down the street. It was in the summer, so it was around 100 degrees. My aunt doesn't care if it costs money or if it costs anything at that matter; she will go out of her way to help others.
ReplyDeleteSydney- I think it is amazing what Jimmy Valvano did. I do not know many people with cancer, but I do know the effects of it and how life threatening it is. I really do not have a philosophy on how to live my life, but I think we all need to treat each day like it is the last and have a great attitude towards life like Jimmy Valvano did. My mom really inspires me to be a great person. So does all my family members. She is so sweet. She also really pushes me to try a lot harder. If I didn't have someone like her, I wouldn't be living my life like this. My mom has a great job, she works hard. I really want to have accomplishments like she has. Another person who I am really inspired by is my Uncle Jerry. He is a photographer. I have always wanted to be a photographer. Right now, he lives in Missouri. It it hard to see him all the time, but when I do, we have a lot of fun. He is also one of the nicest and inspiring people I know
ReplyDeleteThomas B-I thought it was pretty cool how Jimmy Valvano did all these different kinds of things, like sports, then when he found out that he had cancer, he kept doing all of those things .I don’t really have a personal philosophy but I like his and one that says ‘’ live life to the fullest’’. I really think that you should look up to those who are better at something than you, but I usually look up to my dad. Well first of all he is funny and kind. He also teaches me how to get things done or to ‘’have pride in your work’’.
ReplyDeleteNikita- Jimmy V seems like a good person. As the old quote says, "An oringal in hard to find, but easy to reconize." I defintley think Jimmy V is an orginal. I'm thinking my philolosphy of life is just to keep a postitive attitude and live each day like it's your last. I think everyone has something that you can look up to, but I alwasys look up to my parents. They always work hard and support me in anything i want to do.
ReplyDeleteHayley: I think Jimmy Valvano was a good man. I do not have a really deep philosophy but I do remember a story in which a man was posting on Facebook live every day is if it is your last. Seconds after he posted that he was killed in a car accident. That shows how precious life is and how easily it can be taken from you. Sometimes you won't have time to say goodbye. My parents and coaches are always their to support me when I need it most. One of my role models in life is my grandfather. His wife ( my grandmother) has Alzheimer. It is hard for my family but, especially him. Through all the ups and downs he is their as strong as ever.
ReplyDeleteTomas- i think that Jimmy is probably the most inspirering person i have ever seen. getting cancer is definetly the most hard thing to deal with. but many of his quotes will inspire many people on the earth. i wouldnt want to to share the way i think i should live my life but i am going to develop a philosophy in life just because of this man. obviously jimmy anad my family always are inspiring me to be the best person i can be. my family is a big impact on my life. they have the qualities that i love about them. tehy ae tough and will always push me to do the best.
ReplyDeleteAndoni-T think that that Jimmy Valvano lived a full and happy life.He moved lots of people and encouraged them to do the same.This guy has to be one of the strongest guys ever. To be that sick and still be able to relax and be a good person, even though all those bad thing happened to them, is truly amazing. I don'y really have a overruling philosophy on life. I mean, there are quotes and things that i use, but i don't have a philosophy that i live by. The person that i most look up to is our lord and savior Jesus Christ. I am shocked that nobody else has already said this. Jesus is the perfect example to anyone who wants to live a good life.
ReplyDeleteLiam~ I think it is always inspiring to see a famous person get cancer and, yet, still continue to do what they love. They still continue to live their life to the fullest. Jimmy Valenveno is a great example of this. My philosophy on life is kind of dark, but yet at the same time it is all so true. One time I started to think, "What is the ultimate fear in life?" "Is it death?" "But what is death, really?" "So is the fear of death the fear of pain and/or separation?" So theoretically, if you overcome the fear of separation and pain, then you shouldn't be afraid of death.(?) Jimmy Valenveno had the strength to overcome both of those fears. A quality that I look for in a person is the ability to overcome fears. Not always to the extreme of overcome pain and separation. But once you can overcome those fears, you can go on like Jimmy Valenveno.
ReplyDeletePetie~ I think it is amazing that something as challenging and defeating as cancer can be used almost as a highlight not a low point. Jimmy V wouldn't let cancer overcome him, he continued to do what he loved, and that is truly inspiring. He kept his mind sunny side up, never thinking about how he might die, or how he might be disabled for the rest of his life, but instead he thought how he could coach a heck of a basketball team, and how he was still alive, so why waste it. I have kind of been developing a philosophy of "I'm my self, and only I am myself" and "I got it good, so why complain" but the one that I have really tried to develop is "YOLO isn't true, you should live every day, but only die once". Have you guys heard of Ray Samano? Probably not, but he lived for nearly 18 years with lung cancer. The doctors said he would die (being at the age of 72 at the time), but he could care less. He said that his life is only one of the many, and so my one life can help the many. He is a really good speaker, and just died of a heart attack nearly three months ago. He had incredible determination, and that is truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteNate- I find Jimmy's story very inspiring. The determined way he lived through life his life is something you don't find that often. As for me, I have built my life on the principles of what God has told us to do. It's hard, and unlike Jimmy, I fail quite often :(. The person who inspires me is Jesus. He gave up his life for us while we just sinned. He is the best example of a determined, genuinely good person.
ReplyDeleteNatalie- I think that Jimmy Valvano was an amazing man. My dad's mother (Grandmother Pat) died because of skin cancer, and my mom's mother (Grandma) died of lung cancer. My mom's grandmother (my great grandmother) died before I was born because of skin cancer. My dad's father (my grandpa) died before I was born and my great grandma died about four monthes ago. My little sister Nicole died at three weeks old. When I read about Jimmy's story and his goals, I was so happy and glad. Cancer has taken so many people away from me, and I was inspired when I read about Jimmy. Cancer has made me live my life differently. My mom is very worried, since skin cancer has killed two people in my family and my skin is so light, it makes me susceptible to skin cancer. I don't have a personal philosophy yet, but I'm sure I will later in life. Someone who inspires me is my one remaining grandparent. My grandpa has lost everyone that he cared about except for my family and his son, Uncle Blake. But he is still optimistic and loves life. He loves us all, and didn't withdraw from his family when his wife (my grandma) died. He is a hard-working, honest person, and I love him.
ReplyDeleteLuke-I believe that everything jimmy has done has inspired and helped people. I have not had an incident that has developed a personal philosophy for how I live my life. I have had a few turns in my life, so I am undecided. There is no one who inspires me to be a better person. Well, no human being. God is the only thing that inspires me to be a better person. Mainly because I want to go to heaven. Also, God did and does so many things for us, that even if the whole worlds population was dedicated to repaying god for all the things he has done, it would still not be enough. the qualities that impress and inspire me is that he created everything and he did it while caring for everything he made.
ReplyDeleteMegan- I've never heard of Jimmy before now. I really wish I had earlier on. He has such a great goal to make your life actually worth living. Every time I hear about these kind of people, it inspires me to be a better person than I am now. The one true philosophy in life for me is to learn from your mistakes, and move on to be a better person. Each day is a chance to start over at life. We all need to remember that. The main people that taught that to me and actually live by it are all around me. I try to surround myself with positive people who help me succeed. I am so grateful for them all.
ReplyDeleteLauryn Hodge- I think that Jimmy Valvano is very inspirational because he didn’t let cancer stop him from doing the things he loved. My grandma died a month ago from leukemia. She was the most lively and happy person I knew. Just like Jimmy Valvano she was a fighter. Even in her last hour she was making jokes and teasing us. I think I am begging to develop a personal philosophy for how to live my life. I think that I should live life to the fullest, don’t judge, and stay positive. I think my friends and family inspire me to be a better person because they are always there to lead me in the right direction. They are always by my side when I am feeling down.
ReplyDeleteReed-I think he was so inspirational because cancer didn't stop him from doing what he wanted. A person i knew died of cancer. The person who saw me first when i was born died of cancer about 3 years ago. She was battling it for a long time and fighting the sickness. I think that if i had cancer i would fight it and keep living my life. It wouldn't stop me from playing football and other things. My family inspires me to stay safe and be aware of what your doing and when i listen to them they always lead me in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteRylie- I love his story because, he had cancer, but that didn't keep him from his dreams. He may have had a sickness, but he didn't give up. He should be an inspiration us all. That no madder what, never give up on what you want to achieve. I have not quite figured out my place in the universe so to speak, yet. Or how I should be living or how I am living my life. But, that would be an interesting thought to discuss. My dad helps inspire me to be a better person. He has a good attitude for what ever life may throw at him. Dealing with four girls in the house can be a handful. He has always pushed me to do better on things.He posses many fine qualities, but one that I admire is his will to learn,and improve new things. He has a knack for asking questions. He reminds me of a certain philosopher., because he is most always asking why?
ReplyDeleteJohn-I think Jimmy V was an excellent basketball coach, but also a cool guy that always seemed to be smiling and having a great time. Jimmy V is a really inspiring person that was diagnosed with cancer, but that didn't stop him from doing what he loves to do best and thats coaching baketball. Jimmy V will go down as one of the best coaches ever along with a few other coaches like Coach K for Duke and Tom Izzo for Michigan State. For my life I want to try to accomplish as many things I can, wether it's becoming an athlete one I'am older or what ever else that I wnt to do and think is interesting. Jimmy V is a great example of how to live your life, he wrote some things he wanted to accomplish further in life and he checked off every thing on list, which is pretty cool because that tells you he did the best he could on living life to the fullest. There are a lot of people that inspire me to become a better person, but i would have to say that my Dad is on the top of the list. A couple ways my Dad makes me a better person is that he tells me every day after school before I do anything else is to do my homework so I don't get stressed out, He tells me to do 20 pushes every day and night so I get stronger for all my athletitics, and the last thing he tells me is to try my best in anything I do and to add on to that he tells me I got to want it to get it, but if you don't want it you won't get it. That is big advice to me and I'am going to use those things to become a better person.
ReplyDeleteCatie-I think that Jimmy V. was a very inspirational man who was very positive and amazing. My philosophy in life is to be somebody that everybody likes. I don't want anybody to hate or dislike me. I also want to stay committed to what I commit to. I never ever want to give up and I always want to bring my A game. People who left a legacy of greatness behind them like war veterans inspire me to be a better person. Their life was probably a lot harder than mine and they still managed to be the best that they could be. I love their positive outlook on life and the fact that they devoted their life to being happy and not wallowing in anything bad that happened.
ReplyDeleteRaquel- I think that Jimmy was one of those people that God sent to us to help us through the day ,conquer our goals, and give us the the inspiration to move on down the right path. Almost everyday I try to and ask god to help me do my best in all the actions I take because soon enough you relize either if you did good or bad and all the bad will hold you down until you make the change. One of inspiratins in life is Mary because if think about it she obeyed and did not commit any sins so why wouldn't she be an inspirational person to follow their footsteps.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel- My dad's friend got a tumor about 3(?) years ago, and had a very bad case of it. He got so sick that the priests gave him Anointing of the Sick, thinking he would die. He recovered, from God's holy grace, and is a lot better now. I highly respect Jimmy Valvona, and respect his dreams/missions. My philosophy so far, is, "Help your friends, enemies, and everyone else, and in turn, they will help you. If you don't help, then what is point in being helped at all?" I personally admire Thomas Edison. He was dyslexic, but very smart, and invented many things. Another person I admire is Ghandi, especially for his peaceful nature. But above these great people, my parents have inspired me in the most ways.
ReplyDeleteLily- Jimmy Valvono is very inspiring to me. It just shows how precious life is.You only live once, so live life to the fullest. The one thing I think about is trying to be optomistic about everything in life, even though you may go through your ups and downs in life. The person who has inspired me the most in my life is my cousin Braden. Braden, 17, a senior in high school just got into a car crash recently. He has had major trauma to his body and almost died many times while in the hospital. The car crash was very devestating for him, two of his closest friends died. He has been put into a wheel chair for 6 months, and is getting better every day. The one thing that inspires me the most about him is that he is optomistic about life even after the terrible accident. The second he was awake and alert he was back to himself. It is truly a miracle that he is even alive today. I don't have a philosophy for life, but maybe I will have one later on in life.
ReplyDeletePatrick- Jimmy valono was a very inspiring person not only because of overcoming cancer but achieving his goals as well. i absolutely am setting goals and values for my self that will get a good future for not only me but a future where i am fortunate enough to help other people. jimmy had a rough go at his cancer mis fortune, my dad being a cancer doctor really makes me see how hard he tried. Simply amazing. I hope that never happens to me or all of us but sadly life happens and is not in our hands. My goals would be going to a good college, get a good job where i am happy, help my community, and raise a good family. I also would like to travel to third world or communist countries and help in any way i can. Im starting that journey by hopefully going to korea this summer. someone i look up to for making me try harder is my dad and in big figures ( not stupid drug celebrities) such as the CNN leaders that we saw on student news last year. whats weird is they they did the simplest things but made a huge difference. My dad says theres always something to do and it dose get tiring but it gets you a better future. The never stop trying qualities are the ones that i like in people.
ReplyDeleteWes- I think of Jimmy Valvano was a man who had a goal in life, reached for it, and succeded with trying it. I have some philosiphies for my life and i am thinking of the future. One is always ask questions if there is trouble. Someone I look up to is my teachers and my parents. They have qualities like never giving up and always listening.
ReplyDeleteAdriana-I think that Jimmy Valvano was a person who had a goal in life that he worked up to no matter how hard it was he put his all and best in accomplishing that goal and he did. The one thing that really stands out to me is that he is optimistic about live. Even though he did get diagnosed with cancer and it does show that life is a very fragile thing And you can't just throw that away. I don't really have a philosophy for my life yet but I know that even though I don't like someone or something I still must treat it with respect. Someone who inspires me to be a better person is my great grandma. AlThough she is very sick and weak she is still very optimistic about life and that is something you don't see much. As you grow up you need to make sure that you are nice to people cause when you get older and can't do things on your own anymore people aren't gonna want to help you because you we're rude.
ReplyDeleteRyan- I think his life and mission was very admirable. Having cancer is never an easy thing and he stayed positive the whole time. The philosophy I have on life is never let anything get you down chances are you wont remember what you did on in 10 years. The person who inspires me to be a better person is my dad because he seems to always know what to do... I know that I want to be like him one day.
ReplyDeleteLiza- I like that Jimmy has such a strong passion for what he does and how he does it. People say that they like things or have a talent but it takes so much to have a passion and to move that passion forward into something like Jimmy did. I do have a philosophy it's kind of cheesy but it is something that i want to live by " You may dream, you may think, it takes a real person to actually do." The person that inspires me the most is my Nana. She has always been there for me. She raised me and took care of me for the first 8 years of my life. She encouraged me to take part in my community and trust in God. She is so kind and she always will try to let Jesus take the wheel of her life. It's truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteBailie- I think Jimmy Valvano is a great man and his life must be pretty hard because of his cancer. I also think that his mission is very inspiring and makes me want to do more. I don’t have a personal philosophy for how to live my life because I’m still trying to figure out how I want to live my life. My dad inspires me to be a better person because he is very ambitious and I would love to have that quality.
ReplyDeleteTodd: He was very happy about being a Basketball coach, and loved what he did. He succeeded In his mission and did it well. My personal philosophy is, I believe that If I try to help and be kind to others I will be treated as I have treated them. People will view me as a good and generous person. I fell that by doing my best, good things will come my way. My roll models and people that have made a differences in my life are my parents and my older brother Tyler. They influence me and help me to be my best. They are always looking for ways to help others. My family believes in doing lots of volunteer work. They are there to help friends in need!
ReplyDeleteI think that Jimmy V was a great man and did a lot of great things during his life time. I try to live my life by treating everyone good and having a lot of fun during life. The people that inspire is my family. They are always there for me when I need help.
ReplyDeletethat was justin
DeleteNekane-he was a great man and spread so much joy in my opinion. Yes all the time. I want to be a nurse when I grow up and work with kids who have leukemia and premature babies. My family and teachers. My family is loving and always so kind they also are really funny. My teachers teach me new life long lessons and to apparition what I have.
ReplyDeleteClaire-Jimmy has a very inspiring story. I really like art and artists inspire me. When I grow up I want to be an artist because they get to create fun things and they don't have to do everything in a certain amount of time. You also get to do different types of things and that is what I like about artists.
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