NC State professor who beat cancer says he owes his life to the Wolfpack

Brian Eder says he feels a connection to Jim Valvano after The V Foundation-linked research helped him beat cancer.

Posted 9:42 p.m. Apr 5 — Updated 9:51 p.m. Apr 5

Eric Miller

, WRAL reporter

RALEIGH, N.C. — NC State's tournament run shines a light on Jim Valvano's legacy - both on, and off the court.

There's a lot that sets Brian Eder apart as an NC State fan: his license plate (UNCHEATS), his memories rushing the brickyard during their legendary '83 season, his dedication, serving 30 years as an NC State adjunct professor, where by his estimate, he's taught more than 30,000 NC State Students.

But it's not just spirit that's made Eder fall in love with this program.

It also saved his life.

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15 years ago, Eder was diagnosed with cancer. Research sponsored by the V Foundation helped beat Eder's cancer. He's been cancer-free since.

NC State's ongoing tournament run has shed a light on Jimmy V's legacy on the court, but it's also highlighting work he did off it, work that's still going on. By their own estimates, the V Foundation has dunked more than $353 million into cancer research, helping doctors learn how to better fight everything from bone to skin cancers.

"I certainly feel a connection to what he did," said Eder. "Even though he didn’t live as long as he, as anyone would have liked, I think in death he’s done more in his cancer research funding than he did even as a basketball coach."

In 2011, Eder was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

"So it’s like, either you will die, or you will recover from it," he said.

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The same week, his childhood home was destroyed in the worst outbreak of tornadoes in North Carolina history.

One week after a cancer diagnosis, he saw his childhood home destroyed. He was thinking, what’s next?

What’s next was this: Retuximab.

The drug, part of Eder’s treatment, helped him beat cancer.

A drug, made possible, in part, by a familiar face.

"The V Foundation for cancer research is a world-class cancer research organization," said Rebecca Erquitt. "What we do is fund the best-of-the-best cancer research grants in the nation."

NC State legend Jim Valvano founded the V Foundation in 1993, just weeks before he lost his own battle with cancer. More than 30 years later, the foundation is still keeping his vision, and mission alive.

"To date, since we were founded in 1993, we have awarded over 353 million dollars in cancer research grants," Erquitt said.

Erquitt says Brian’s story is just one in an increasing number of successes.

With NC State in the midst of another historic run, Erquitt says the focus on the team has also turned a spotlight on the foundation, once again showing the importance of these words “Don’t Ever Give Up.”

That goes for on the court, and off.

"The chances were slim, much like they were this weekend for the basketball team," Eder said. "But you’ve just got to give it your best shot and see what happens."

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