Cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in the United States today, but advances in treatments for this disease has improved the survival rate. Medical scientists have for a hundred years struggled against a stone wall trying to find the solution of the cancer problem (Gaylord). This disease has affected us in the past and it continues to affect us today. Jim Valvano’s illustrious "Never Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up” speech is a prime example of this. This speech is about a man dying from cancer and as a result he asks people to donate money to cancer research by teaming up with ESPN to start the Jimmy V Foundation.
James Thomas Anthony "Jim" Valvano was a NCAA men’s basketball head coach. As a head coach, he was known for winning …show more content…
It was at this time Valvano gave his "Never Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up”. In this speech, Valvano uses contradictory by contrasting the bliss and amusement in his life with the agony and hardship that is correlated with cancer. He generated a sense of faith and aspiration for his audience with his word. His goal was to show everyone that even though he may lose his battle with cancer, his attitude towards life will never change. During his speech, he says, “Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. 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.” Jim Valvano also uses personal and emotional ruminations on life to make a connection with the audience. For example, at the beginning of his speech, Valvano says, “Time is very precious to me. I don’t know how much I have left and I have some things that I would like to say.” He continues to use other compelling phrases throughout his speech such as, “We need your help. I need your help. We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my children’s lives. It may save someone you love.” and “I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have.” He also mentions the slogan for the Jimmy V Foundation which is “Don’t give up, don’t ever give …show more content…
This suggests sober, earnest thought at the hands of the medical profession. Evidently cancer has a separate and distinct individuality not yet brought into our field of vision (McWharf). Throughout the speech, his use of words and his resilience touched everyone watching. With this speech he created compassion for everyone stricken with cancer. He used his disease as a marketing tool to promote his foundation which is dedicated to finding a cure for this disease. Over the past twenty years, the Jimmy V foundation has raised more than $100 million. This speech is still relevant today because everyone knows someone who has suffered from this disease. “In the early recognition and treatment of cancer lies the hope of cure.” This is the motto of the American Society for the Control of Cancer, the national association composed of physicians and laymen whose object is the education of the public regarding the nature and treatment of this disease (Taussig). As much money as this country spends on war and technology, the fact there is still no cure for this disease baffles me. As much as this disease affects our world as a whole, you would think that the government would make more of an effort to find a cure for this disease. Twenty years ago when Jim Valvano gave this speech, he started a movement. He started the national campaign and awareness about cancer. Every year ESPN dedicates a week in honor
James Thomas Anthony "Jim" Valvano was a NCAA men’s basketball head coach. As a head coach, he was known for winning …show more content…
It was at this time Valvano gave his "Never Give Up... Don't Ever Give Up”. In this speech, Valvano uses contradictory by contrasting the bliss and amusement in his life with the agony and hardship that is correlated with cancer. He generated a sense of faith and aspiration for his audience with his word. His goal was to show everyone that even though he may lose his battle with cancer, his attitude towards life will never change. During his speech, he says, “Cancer can take away all my physical abilities. 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.” Jim Valvano also uses personal and emotional ruminations on life to make a connection with the audience. For example, at the beginning of his speech, Valvano says, “Time is very precious to me. I don’t know how much I have left and I have some things that I would like to say.” He continues to use other compelling phrases throughout his speech such as, “We need your help. I need your help. We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my children’s lives. It may save someone you love.” and “I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have.” He also mentions the slogan for the Jimmy V Foundation which is “Don’t give up, don’t ever give …show more content…
This suggests sober, earnest thought at the hands of the medical profession. Evidently cancer has a separate and distinct individuality not yet brought into our field of vision (McWharf). Throughout the speech, his use of words and his resilience touched everyone watching. With this speech he created compassion for everyone stricken with cancer. He used his disease as a marketing tool to promote his foundation which is dedicated to finding a cure for this disease. Over the past twenty years, the Jimmy V foundation has raised more than $100 million. This speech is still relevant today because everyone knows someone who has suffered from this disease. “In the early recognition and treatment of cancer lies the hope of cure.” This is the motto of the American Society for the Control of Cancer, the national association composed of physicians and laymen whose object is the education of the public regarding the nature and treatment of this disease (Taussig). As much money as this country spends on war and technology, the fact there is still no cure for this disease baffles me. As much as this disease affects our world as a whole, you would think that the government would make more of an effort to find a cure for this disease. Twenty years ago when Jim Valvano gave this speech, he started a movement. He started the national campaign and awareness about cancer. Every year ESPN dedicates a week in honor