Dick Vitale, the beloved basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster, recently announced on Twitter that he has been diagnosed with vocal cord cancer. The 84-year-old revealed that he will undergo six weeks of radiation treatment to combat the disease. This news comes after Vitale had previously undergone surgeries earlier this year to address issues with his vocal cords.
In June, Vitale had mentioned that he would be undergoing two surgeries during the summer to address “past issues” with his vocal cords. The first procedure was scheduled for Tuesday, and Vitale provided an update the following day, sharing the unfortunate news of his cancer diagnosis. However, he remains optimistic and determined to fight the disease.
According to Vitale, the tests conducted on the tissues removed by doctors confirmed the presence of cancer. Despite this setback, he has been assured by his physician, Dr. Zeitels, that the cancer has an extremely high cure rate. Radiation therapy has been recommended as the best course of treatment, rather than additional surgery. Vitale expressed his intention to fight with all his might to be ready for the upcoming college basketball season.
Vitale expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received from fans, friends, and colleagues. He acknowledged the power of positive vibes, prayers, and well wishes and requested that they continue to be sent his way. The broadcaster also shared a photo on Twitter of himself with Dr. Zeitels, captioning it with a message of determination and resilience.
This is not the first time Vitale has faced health challenges. In February 2022, he underwent surgery on his vocal cords after taking a break from broadcasting due to his ongoing battle with Dysplasia. The three-hour procedure was described as tough but successful in addressing the Dysplasia and ulcerated lesions. Vitale then had to observe four weeks of voice rest to aid in his recovery.
In October 2021, Vitale revealed that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma. This diagnosis came just months after he had undergone multiple surgeries to remove melanoma and had been declared cancer-free. In December of the same year, he announced the Dysplasia diagnosis.
Despite these setbacks, Vitale has remained resilient and positive. In August 2022, he shared the news that he had transitioned from being in remission to being completely cancer-free. He expressed his gratitude for the support of his immediate family, as well as his ESPN family. Vitale also acknowledged the dedication of his medical team, whose expertise has had a positive impact on countless lives.
Dick Vitale’s career in basketball began as a coach for Detroit Mercy and the Detroit Pistons. He made history by calling ESPN’s first-ever college basketball game on December 5, 1979, and has been a fixture at the network ever since. In recognition of his courageous battle with multiple cancer scares, Vitale was honored with the Jimmy V Award at the 2022 ESPYs.
Vitale’s announcement serves as a reminder of the importance of cancer research and the ongoing fight against this terrible disease. He called for continued support and emphasized the need for further research to combat cancer effectively.
As fans and admirers of Dick Vitale, we stand with him during this challenging time. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for the game have endeared him to millions of basketball fans around the world. We join him in his fight against cancer and send our positive thoughts and prayers for a successful treatment and a speedy recovery.
Dick Vitale, you’re awesome, baby!