My son Patrick, a basketball player since he was 5 years old, has always been a DUKE FAN even here in Griffith, Indiana. In 2006, Patrick at the age of 17, in the prime of his high school basketball life, was diagnosed with Stage IV testicular cancer. Patrick’s aunt, knowing that Patrick was a Duke fan, contacted Duke University and Coach K to see if the Coach could brighten the life of Patrick and his family who were devastated by the news of Patrick’s illness and a series of horrible chemotherapy treatments he would endure.

Coach K sent Patrick a Duke T-shirt an autographed picture and a note that forever hangs framed on Patrick’s bedroom wall, “Stay positive and always try your best. Coach K.” Patrick stayed positive and is now 3 1/2 years cancer-free. In the fall of 2006, our pride for our son showed as he was back on the high school basketball court, and team captain for the night. His peach fuzz hair still coming back but he was back on the court and he was smiling.

Coach K still sends us a note and has even sent a Duke basketball yearbook that Patrick cherishes. Coach K may not realize the extent of how his kindness has touched our lives and made a young man hang on, “stay positive” and fight for his life. Coach K in my book is a life-saver, he made time from his very busy lifestyle for my son, for a very ill young man, and he still makes a difference in Patrick’s life and the life of my family. We will always be grateful. May God bless him and we thank him from the bottom of our hearts.

Barbara Kolisz