Dick Vitale's 3-time battle with cancer chronicled in new book, featuring his All-Courageous Team
SARASOTA — His 45 years as an ESPN college basketball analyst aside, Dick Vitale will have a perpetuating legacy as a tireless champion for kids with cancer.
But the 84-year-old’s own battles with cancer, and those from the boys and girls on his All-Courageous Team, are front and center in Vitale’s latest book, Until My Last Breath: Fighting Cancer with My Young Heroes, now available for purchase on Amazon and autographed copies at dickvitale.com. In the book, Vitale chronicles his own experiences with cancer and features the stories of pediatric cancer survivors, many of whom provided the Lakewood Ranch resident with lessons of hope and perseverance.
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“I wanted to have the many youngsters who I have met and who are members of my All-Courageous Team share the very intense battles they faced in dealing with various cancers,” said Vitale, who has battled melanoma, lymphoma, and vocal-cord cancer in recent years. “I felt it would inspire and motivate many who have had their own battles, like it did for me.
“Regardless of the health obstacles I faced in my own life over the last few years, my mission remains unchanged: continue fighting every single day for kids with cancer. This book came about when I couldn’t speak, but I knew I still needed to use my voice to support these kids. My All-Courageous Team has made me the proudest and most inspired coach on the planet. They are the true PTPers of this book.”
Vitale, a board member for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, established the Dick Vitale Gala in 2005. Since then, more than $68 million has been raised to directly benefit the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation.
“I love young people,” he said, “and over the 18 years of my Gala, I have been brought to tears hearing the stories that their parents shared about what their youngsters have dealt with. It is life changing when a mom and dad hear a doctor say four words that no parent ever wants to hear: Your child has cancer.”
“Dick is a champion for pediatric cancer research and will stop at nothing to ensure every child has the bright and healthy future they deserve,” said Shane Jacobson, CEO of the V Foundation. “He ignites a sense of passion in everyone he meets, and this book is a testament to how the children he has tirelessly advocated for have lifted him up through his own cancer experience.”
Until My Last Breath: Fighting Cancer with My Young Heroes will be available in bookstores and other online stores beginning March 19. All proceeds from the book will benefit the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation.
“Perhaps the best compliment you could pay forward would be to read the book with the same emotion and the same love that Dick has exhibited for these children,” said Hall of Fame basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who wrote the forward to the book. “His huge heart comes through every page. The character and strength of these praiseworthy young heroes and their remarkable stories will shine even more.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: ESPN's Dick Vitale wrote the book after melanoma, lymphoma, and vocal-cord cancer
