Legendary ESPN announcer Dick Vitale announced he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time.
“Today, my oncologist, Dr. Brown, informed me that my biopsy results have confirmed a diagnosis of melanoma in my lung and liver cavity,” Vitale, 86, said in a press release to ESPN on Monday, April 13. “I shall be starting immunotherapy shortly and I plan on winning this battle.”
The sports commentator continued, “I’ve beaten melanoma. I’ve beaten lymphoma. I’ve beaten vocal chord cancer. I’ve beaten lymph node cancer. I’m four-for-four and I’m fully confident I’m going to make it five-for-five.”
Vitale added that he felt “truly overwhelmed by the love, support, prayers and messages” he’s received from family, friends, colleagues and fans.
“Their support has inspired me to maintain fighting and I’ll do all the pieces in my power to win one other battle,” he wrote. “The perfect news I can share today is that this: I feel unbelievable.”
Vitale also shared that along with specializing in his cancer battle, he’s raising money for kids who’ve also been diagnosed with cancer and who likely don’t have the identical access to vital healthcare.
“At 86 years young, I’ve lived a hell of a life, and I’m more motivated than ever to lift money for youths battling cancer,” he reflected. “No child should ever should undergo what I’ve experienced.”
Vitale revealed that $105 million has been raised ahead of the gala for his Dick Vitale Gala on May 1. The fundraiser supports pediatric cancer research, with the goal of raising an extra 12 million.
Longtime Detroit sports reporter and radio personality Pat Caputo revealed a dire medical diagnosis in explaining his recent absence from the airwaves. “For those wondering where I’ve been: I even have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly known as a ‘death sentence’ and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU […]
In 2021, Vitale was treated for melanoma and lymphoma. He also underwent surgery for precancerous dysplasia and ulcerous lesions the identical yr. The next yr, Vitale was declared cancer free. He was diagnosed with vocal cord cancer in 2023 and subsequently stepped away from his role as an ESPN announcer. One yr later, Vitale underwent one other surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from his neck.
In December 2024, Vitale announced he was cancer-free. The sports icon made an emotional return to the booth two months later to call the Duke-Clemson basketball game at Clemson’s Littlejohn Coliseum in South Carolina.
“I would like to say because of all of the people,” Vitale told the gang, who gave him a loud standing ovation. “The reception here has been really off the charts. I’m so sorry for being so emotional — I can’t let you know how excited I’m to be here. That is like my Super Bowl.”