Two years ago, we wrote about the courage and grace of Jim Valvano. During his losing battle with pancreatic cancer, he served as a role model for us all. Given our frustrations with the COVID-19 pandemic, we also need reflections on our better selves.
Again, we cover Jim Valvano’s speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards show. Jim was a championship college basketball coach.
Jim Valvano’s Reflections on Our Better Selves
As the V Foundation Web site notes:
“Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”®
“With these words, Jim Valvano announced the beginning of the V Foundation for Cancer Research with ESPN’s support. During Jim’s memorable speech accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award at the inaugural ESPYS on March 4, 1993, his message was simple: cancer research needs our support.”
“Despite being weakened from his fight against cancer, he delivered an energetic and inspiring speech that brought the crowd to its feet. Although he passed shortly after his speech, Jim’s legacy lives on through the V Foundation.”
“For the past 27 years [as of 2020], the V Foundation has continued Jim’s message by funding incredible projects and researchers focused on finding and end to cancer. Because of the V Foundation’s generous supporters: More than $250 million has been awarded to cancer research and programs. 100% of every direct donation goes to cancer research. There are 16 million cancer survivors in the U.S., with that number expected to grow to 20.3 million by 2026.”