Here’s hoping they find a cure soon

Registry process questioned
January 8, 2015
Thibodaux girls peaking for district
January 8, 2015
Registry process questioned
January 8, 2015
Thibodaux girls peaking for district
January 8, 2015

The year 2015 is finally here.

That means that between 7.2 and 7.5 more people worldwide will die of cancer in the next 12 months.

That’s a staggering amount that is numbing to the soul.


Men, women, children, moms, dads, black, white, American, African, Puerto Rican, Brazilian, Russian, Cuban, Korean – it doesn’t matter.

No one is immune from the disease, and everyone is at risk to suffer from it in their lifetime.

Think about it – literally every, single adult in our country knows someone who has battled cancer.


The statistics say it’s in most of our families. If it’s not, it’ll definitely be in all of our workplaces or neighborhoods. It’s an unavoidable, inescapable disease.

Unfortunately, we were reminded of exactly that this past week with the passing of Mr. Jimmy Dagate, who died from complications dealing with liver cancer.

It is nearly impossible to find someone who didn’t have the utmost respect for Dagate and his many contributions to society.


As a lawyer, he was earnest, honest and diligent. He represented his clients ethically and justly.

As a television personality and host on HTV, Dagate’s class always was depicted on the TV screen. He was calm and patient with callers. He discussed current events in a way that showed his vast knowledge, but also in a way that showed his genuine love for our community.

As a family man, friend and neighbor, Dagate was the same way. He was approachable and always made time to help anyone that was in need – a rare trait that isn’t often able to be found in other places around the country.


He fought cancer bravely and with a positive spirit.

So did Stuart Scott.

The world of sports were shaken this past week with the news that the SportsCenter anchor had passed away after a lengthy battle with the disease.


Like Dagate did locally, Scott left a lasting impression nationally with his wit and incredible talent to tell a story with his words.

His positivity was endless throughout his fight. At the 2014 ESPYs, Scott gave a speech in which he said that true victory over the disease wasn’t won in life or death, but rather how one combatted and lived life in the midst of it all.

Truer words have never been spoken.


So instead of making resolutions that will be unrealistic to keep, take a few dollars out of your pockets (if it can be afforded) and throw them to a charity or research center so that we can advance our efforts to finally find a cure for this damned disease.

If unable to contribute, maybe take a little time to visit someone battling the disease. Go out of your way to lift his/her spirits. That can do so much to help someone suffering and in need of a boost. When we’re having a bad day, we all get to go home and lay our heads on a comfortable pillow with hopes that the next day will be better. A lot of folks stricken with this disease don’t have that same luxury and are pulled away from the comforts of home as they battle the disease.

At The Times, several members of our staff have loved ones currently battling the disease, so we’re in this fight, as well.


Our news team has several family members fighting through the disease, and we salute their bravery and pray for their healing to be completed.

All throughout Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, there are thousands of men and women who will be affected, and we salute and pray for peace, comfort and healing throughout the entirety of 2015.

Because 7.2 million people are entirely too many.


So here’s to hoping that in the next 12 months we can find a cure.

Because we’re getting awfully tired and frustrated about having to write stories about our local role models and leaders being taken away because of this wretched disease.