ESPN’s Dick Vitale announces another battle with cancer

Dick Vitale shared the heartbreaking news of a THIRD cancer diagnosis!

The former head coach, who has called games for ESPN for more than four decades, said in a statement posted on social media that he has vocal cord cancer that will require nearly two months of radiation therapy.

The veteran athlete previously battled and won with lymphoma and melanoma. He also lost his voice for four months after undergoing surgery to repair pre-cancerous dysplasia and ulcerative lesions on his vocal cords.

Fans shower Dick Vitale with messages of encouragement following his latest cancer announcement

It seems that life is not going well for Vitale, who told his 948,000 followers early Thursday morning about his latest health problems. The longtime ESPN college basketball analyst attached a screenshot of his statement alongside the caption:

“This is an update on my meeting with Dr. ZEITELS today. Although I was disappointed with the pathology report, I plan to win this battle, just like I did against melanoma and lymphoma!”

In the attached noticethe 84 year old wrote that he was diagnosed with umbilical cord cancer, which resulted in him undergoing six weeks of radiation therapy to treat the disease. After finding out the surgery was unexpected, she said her doctor informed her the condition had an “extremely high cure rate.”

The “Living a Dream” author has expressed his intention to “fight like hell” to return to ESPN when the college basketball season officially begins in the fall. Fortunately, her doctor believes the plan is “totally possible,” adding that she was “so touched by the tweets, texts, notes and prayers from all concerned.”

She went on to recall asking “everyone to help fight cancer” at the 30th annual ESPYs this time last year. In closing the statement, Vitale thanked his family and the ESPN clan for their “incredible support and is extremely grateful for the outstanding team of medical experts whose dedication positively impacts so many lives.”

To quote the tweet, a fan He told graduate of Seton Hall University, that he has already proven “how strong he is” and that he is “going to beat this too.” A second person he tweeted, “He is legitimately one of the nicer people you will ever meet and his love for the ball is genuine. Come in and get back to work, sir.

“I wish you all the best for the new challenge. You have so many cheerleaders,” a third Twitter user said was announcedfourth he repeated, “All prayers to you, Dickie V! We are all in his corner. You will get over this!”

A fifth person encouraged, “Give that crab to hell, Dickie. We need our #1 PTP to bring back Wt! 🙏”, and a sixth it jingled“You bring light and joy to so many of us. You are such a warrior in the fight against cancer. We will remain your prayer warriors as you fight this battle.”

College basketball fans similarly surrounded Vitale with their love in 2021 when he was diagnosed with two cancers within two months. At the time, The Blast reported that he is scheduled to undergo chemotherapy and steroids for six months.

This is an update from my meeting with Dr. ZEITELS today. Although I was disappointed with the pathology report, I plan to win this battle, just like I did with melanoma and lymphoma! pic.twitter.com/pu61XJSm43

– Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 12, 2023

The father-of-two also vowed to “fight hard” against illness and return to television screens stronger than ever. Vitale’s doctors declared him “cancer-free” in August 2022.

Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men’s Basketball Award

Regarding his speech at last year’s ESPY Awards: PEOPLE He highlighted that accomplishment when he accepted the Jimmy V Endurance Award, presented to him by “Mad Men” star John Hamm.

Although he spent much of his acceptance speech praising the Jimmy V Foundation, which funds research into a cure for cancer, at one point he said that “no child or child should have to go through chemotherapy or radiation.” Later, the Taco Bell TV commercial star of the ’90s stated:

“(Cancer) doesn’t discriminate; it will come after all. It doesn’t matter race or religion; forces him to his knees. There’s only one way to beat it, my friends; we need to raise dollars and give oncologists a fighting chance.”

The “En Fuego” singer ended her monologue with a call to action to “keep chasing your dreams, follow your goals. Remember: persistence, passion and pride equal ‘winning’ in the game of life.”

According to ESPN, the Jimmy V Award is given to “a deserving member of the sports world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.”