ESPN’s Dick Vitale recently posted a video of himself and Tennessee Vols basketball coach Rick Barnes performing a special routine. Vitale is being treated for lymphoma and also has dysplasia in his vocal cords. Vitale called a few college basketball games earlier in the season before being forced to rest for the rest of the season due to inflammation in his vocal cords.
Vitale has remained active on Twitter, where he has made numerous observations about college basketball and life. Vitale revealed on Twitter on Sunday that Barnes sends him a prayer every day. Vitale first shared his prayer routine with Barnes. “When I read his daily text, his KINDNESS brings tears to my eyes,” Vitale wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
Vitale underwent melanoma treatment last year and announced in August that he was cancer-free. Vitale announced in October that he had been diagnosed with cancer for the second time. Vitale revealed at the time that tests revealed he had lymphoma and that his treatment plan included six months of chemotherapy.
Throughout his cancer battle, friends, family, and fans from all over continued to lift Dick Vitale up. But when Dick received a handwritten letter from a fan named Charlie Osborn, it hit him hard. “It had a big impact on me,” he said.
Charlie, a young man with Down Syndrome, poured out his heart in a heartfelt prayer for Dickie V, asking God to walk alongside the beloved sportscaster and to help him win his cancer battle. The following was written in the “Prayer for Dick Vitale”:
“Lord Jesus,
Remain by his side as he continues to fight cancer. Remain at peace with him. Bring him your sheltering wing and guide him to beat cancer. I just ask you, Lord, to stay by his side and help him beat cancer. I just want your servant to feel he is loved by all. Comfort him in times of trouble. With your help, let him be able to beat cancer. For it is written, “Even though I walk through the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Do not desert or abandon him. tell him not to be afraid, tell him that you love him. together, he can beat cancer. Let him be a follower and a true example of your love, mercy, and kindness.
Amen”
Everyone has battles whether it be with physical sickness, mental health, and spiritual warfare. But one thing is for sure, we do not go into battle alone. God is with us all the way and has prepared a way for us. So we can pray and trust in Him because He has already won the victory.
We also have each other. We can encourage one another with what we understand from the Bible and with our testimonies. This is the reason we are called the family of God. We work together, encourage one another, and see to it that everyone is taken cared for in any way possible.