10/19/2026
A special personal message from Joe Bibbo, An Evening of Hope featured Cancer Survivor in 2024, to all who support patients through their cancer journey.
Before the Dawn
It’s 3:30 a.m., I’m on heavy steroids, and it’s raining, lightning and thundering. Lord knows how much I love the intensity of those sounds!
After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, nine years ago, I found enthusiastic strength through Jimmy Valvano’s speech. He encouraged others to do three things every day of their lives; “laugh, think and have your emotions move you to tears.”
As I tell my friends, “Every day is a good day, just that some days are better than others.” I’m here to fight the good fight. Three relapses, two cases of severe COVID, multiple drug changes, (two) bone marrow transplants, most recent CAR-T, my choosing, knowing the risks - no regrets. All was going well until a few weeks ago and things went sideways. Lost 35 pounds (175 to 140). Trying to understand. In and out of hospital for treatment, exploratory testing and new heavy medicines. Needles, dang those darn needles. Sometimes when a nurse sticks you, they say “sorry.” It’s okay if it helps you to help me. May the angels wrap around you! Everyone and I mean everyone at McLeod Regional Medical Center have been bending over backwards doing whatever they can to see me through this challenge, remarkable!
Then again there is that other love. That unconditional love and support from family and friends that helps make every day possible!
It is said, “when God closes one door, He opens another,” in ways which I couldn’t ever have imagined. Since then, I’ve been afforded opportunities that were not in my horizon pre-cancer, truly blessed. The people met, the fellowships created, the places visited, the experiences, every day feeling the daily emotions that may be overwhelming. I know, I know there are hard times that come with so much good. They are just as real. Maybe at times more so than others.
That door opened me to Volunteering at the McLeod Cancer Center, Reel Recovery, Carolina Casting, The V Foundation and joining The Wolf Pack, all cancer support initiatives. It also allotted me the time to pursue my love of music, reading, art (wood engravings), travel and especially the outdoors and fly fishing. Fly fishing has taken me places that the imagination cannot conceive but reality provides. As a DIY (Do It Yourself) fly fisherman I’m not only interested in pursuit, but what it takes to get from here to there. From learning, research, reading, communication, fly tying, stringing the line, fellowship, traveling, and most importantly the passion of being on the water with a fly rod in my hand fly fishing. Fly fishermen are optimistic! When I’m on the water It’s amazing how there isn’t any cancer -- it just all goes away, and I enjoy having fun! Even if it’s for a little while. I’m sharing this with you because it has helped me heal in so many ways. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.
At this junction in my cancer adventure, not knowing which path it may lead, come what may, I consider this to be another obstacle/inconvenience to overcome. Just another challenge so I can keep on keeping on and being with those that I love in pursuit of my passions that lie around the next bend.
“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up” -- Jimmy Valvano
I share all of this to say we need your help. We need your financial support for the McLeod Cancer Clinic. Waging war against cancer at Cancer Clinic is a 24/7 endeavor. Cancer never sleeps nor does the deterrent to stop it by any means possible. You can do this through our HOPE Fund knowing your support goes directly to helping patients with critical needs. www.mcleodhopefund.org
Volunteering at the Cancer Clinic, I have observed firsthand the miracle of giving. Your loving support may help family members, friends or a complete stranger receive needed assistance, treatment and very expensive medications.
Cancer can wreak havoc to my body, but it can never destroy my heart, soul, or spirit.
With Deepest Regards,
Joe Bibbo
