Don't give up, don't ever give up

Posted: Thursday, December 02, 2010 by Travis Cody in
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Re-posting, as has become tradition here at Trav's Thoughts.  I found out yesterday that my pal Vinny just lost a co-worker to cancer.  This post is dedicated to the memory of that man, who leaves behind a young family.



It's Jimmy V week in college basketball. It's a week of nearly 50 college basketball games in 10 days across the country, including the Coaches vs Cancer Classic, the ACC/Big 10 Challenge, and the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. The games feature healthy young men and women playing the game with passion and emotion.

The games also help raise awareness about cancer and funds for cancer research.

In what has become an annual post for me, I ask you once again to take 10 minutes and watch Jim Valvano's inspiring speech at the 1993 ESPY awards.



Jim Valvano (1946-1993) died of cancer less than two months after giving this speech. In the 18 years since the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research was established, it has raised more than $100 million.

The motto for the foundation is "Don't give up, don't ever give up".


NC State, coached by Jimmy V, beat Houston in the most improbable upset ever to win the 1983 NCAA Basketball Championship. They never gave up. And they created March Madness.


You may click here or on the graphics in my sidebar to read more about the work the V Foundation and the Kay Yow WBCA Cancer Fund do, and to make a donation should you choose.


Please remember the words of Coach Valvano..."Cancer can take away all my physical ability. 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."

Peace to you all.

9 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:
    02 December, 2010 04:28

    Hugs to Vinny...

    I have several friends battling cancer. Recently lost one a few months ago. I HATE this disease with a passion. Coach Valvano said it correctly about what it can/can't touch.

    I hope we find a cure.

  1. Anonymous says:
    02 December, 2010 04:29

    Thanks for the reminder, Travis. And again, more hugs for Vinny....

  1. Anonymous says:
    02 December, 2010 05:24

    Trav: Thanks for the re-post. Reminders are good. And my condolences to Vinny and to the young family left behind after the death of his co-worker.

  1. Mike Golch says:
    02 December, 2010 08:25

    This was a good post when it was done and a great message,thnak you for reposting the message.I'm heading over to offer condolences to Vinny.

  1. Akelamalu says:
    02 December, 2010 09:10

    Hugs for Vinny and his co-worker's family. x

  1. Vinny "Bond" Marini says:
    02 December, 2010 09:16

    Thanks to Travis and to all y'all for your hugs and well wishes. The disease took him in 5 months from diagnosis...so very sad.

    And yesterday dad began 43 radiation treatments to destroy the contained cancerous cells in his prostrate...so holding his good wishes close for the next 8 weeks

    I love watching his speech over and over Travis...though the tears flow so strong as I do

  1. Terra Shield says:
    02 December, 2010 21:35

    Sorry to hear about Vinny's friend.

    I've heard the word cancer way too many times the past few weeks.

  1. TopChamp says:
    02 December, 2010 21:37

    I missed that - didn't read properly to the end of Vinny's post.

    This year I lost my first (hopefully last) close friend to cancer. It's a horrible disease.

    $100 million - fantastic.

    What's important in life? Easy to lose track of in the day-to-day routine.

  1. Desert Songbird says:
    07 December, 2010 09:02

    In the PHA we say, "PHenomenal Hope." How can one NOT hope as long as one alive and kicking?

    I'll never give up. I may get down, but I won't give up!

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