That way we're reminded the disease can affect anyone.

Ex-North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano's war with cancer raised awareness exponentially.

Rose's case isn't more important than my daughters', my friend's, my uncle's or my neighbors'. It's just more prominent. He would be the first to agree to do whatever he could to help. He's already shown that by donating hundreds of hours to help kids who have cancer. He has been serving as honorary chairman of the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation and was the first coach in Utah to participate in the American Cancer Society's nationwide Coaches vs. Cancer campaign.

Which tells you the sort of person Rose is.

He was fighting for a cause long before it was his own.

He will deal with this obstacle the way I've always felt he coaches: with total commitment and unwavering dignity.

In that sense, it won't be a lifestyle change at all.

e-mail: rock@desnews.com