Notre Dame spirit helps in cancer fight
Letters to the Editor
I ask that when all of us make our first stop at the Grotto for the new year we include a prayer for Scott and his family.
Happy New Year.
Jennifer Laiber
Public Relations and Information
January 16, 2001
Many times a day, I lay down thinking of what I would be doing right now if I haven't been diagnosed with leukemia. Then I think of what I have gained by this illness. All the wonderful people that I have met, at the hospital as well as my trip to the University of Notre Dame, that have significantly affected me. All the people that have sent me letters, e-mails and gifts, of their prayers and their acknowledgements of my trip to Notre Dame. All these people, as well as the people that I have met, have all made me feel more positive inside than ever before.
My love for the University of Notre Dame has grown more and more especially since my trip because of the inspiration it has given me. Notre Dame is a very special place.
Out of all the letters, e-mails and gifts that people have sent me, I have had some pretty nice things said and some pretty nice things were given to me. I appreciate each and every word written in those letters and e-mails because they are words coming from the heart. People have shared their stories with me of survival of cancer and how they know I will survive too. I believe now more than ever because of the letters, e-mails and gifts that I will get through this because I have all your prayers and all of you behind me.
Many letters were sent to me, about 350 e-mails and about 100 cards. Out of all of those letters, many mementoes were sent to me that I couldn't believe were given up for me. For example, a man sent me two medals blessed by the Pope and two brothers sent me three autographed pictures. With the first and second pictures they just had their first names but no address or phone number, but the last picture had three pages of why their names weren't given previously and why they thought these players could relate to me. Joe Montana, Rocky Bleier and Chris Zorich, were the three pictures.
The cards sent to me were often heart warming and very motivational. The letters and Notre Dame are two of the biggest things that help me to keep fighting. All the individuals that have sent me their prayers and mementoes, I thank you for all the support that you have given me and I know that one day I will go to the University of Notre Dame and this illness will just be a thing of the past.
Every night I thank God for all the nice people that have sent me their prayers. I also thank God for all the nice people I have met at Notre Dame like Joey Getherall, Shane Walton, Coach Bob Davie, Father Edward Malloy, Rudy Ruettiger, the entire football team and Jennifer Laiber. These people in some way have made my wish an on-going process and have affected my life in a positive way. These people as well as the whole ND family, in some way made me feel like I was a special kid. I thank these people and many other people that I have met at Notre Dame and my recent trip to the ND vs. USC game. You all have made me feel great inside and all the well wishers have played a big part in that too. Fortunately, the Notre Dame family has so many members with warm hearts. My family: Carmen, Henry, Eric and myself would like to wish everybody Happy Holidays and gratitude for your support. GO IRISH!
Scott Delgadillo
San Diego, Cal.
December 2, 2000
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, January 17, 2001
