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Like a lot of people we expect, we cried when Jim Valvano died of cancer in 1993. Mike Krzyzewski was one of his pall bearers and we’ve never seen Coach K so absolutely stricken. But Valvano could do that to people.
He gave that incredible speech at the ESPYs of course, which rivals the great farewell speech of Lou Gehrig as a proud and moving goodbye by a sports figure.
He also oversaw the birth of the V Foundation, which he hoped would one day end all cancer.
It hasn't done that yet but it has made progress.
One of the biggest backers of the foundation is Jim Valvano’s brother, Bob. And earlier this week, he revealed that he too has cancer and that it is Stage 4 leukemia, which, he rightly said, isn’t exactly a 16 seed opponent.
He’s a Valvano though which means he’s approaching this with humor and courage. Medical science has improved greatly since 1993 so we hope he can beat this. Our very best wishes to him and his family.