Dick Vitale finishes radiation treatment for throat cancer
SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN) — Six weeks and 35 radiation treatments later, Lakewood Ranch resident and college basketball icon Dick Vitale is on the other side of his battle with throat cancer.
On Saturday morning at the Sarasota Memorial Jellison Cancer Institute, surrounded by his wife Lorraine and daughters Terri and Sherri, Dick Vitale reached the end of a long and arduous journey.
Six weeks after diagnosis of throat cancer; The face of college basketball can now get rid of the stress of driving to North Sarasota every day for radiation treatments.
Despite various side effects and inflammation affecting his voice, Dickie V still hopes to return to the sidelines for ESPN next basketball season.
dr Matthew Biagioli, the resident oncologist at the Jellison Cancer Institute, shared his hopes for Vitale’s next steps during the post-treatment consultation, but also shed the same light on the media present.
“He will definitely get his vote back. Will it return to the quality we know? That’s the part that shouldn’t be clear. You know, having met the man, I think if someone comes back to call the games, it’ll be him.”
Dickie V has already conquered melanoma and lymphoma and is only a few steps away from crossing throat cancer from that list.
Today’s end of his treatments marked the throwing of a rock into the well at the Jellison Institute. Vitale’s stone says “Family” as he appreciates those who have accompanied him on this journey.
Despite his own struggle, Dickie V fights daily alongside the V Foundation to eradicate childhood cancer. Today, Vitale started Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the same way he has done every month before, fighting for those in need.
“I’m obsessed with helping these kids. I want to do something positive with my life. Being on TV is one thing, but giving back is the greatest satisfaction I feel.”
Although today was a welcome ending to a long journey, Dick Vitale would say there is still work to be done. Whether it’s raising money or entertaining his many fans, both efforts illustrate why Dickie V is a winner in the game of life!
After his last treatment, Dick Vitale will take another six weeks off from singing. However, doctors are optimistic that they have killed all of the cancer cells, although they won’t know for sure for another two weeks.
