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Before and after: Athlete learned to live — while dying of cancer

David Draney is a hero. He is larger than life. Words cannot describe my feelings. I knew him as a youth. He mastered life twice. Once, to climb to the peak of perfection in elite level of athletic mastery; and the second, to descend below human description in pain and suffering, and climb out to reach perfection in mastery of love, and courage, and faith. In sports, he carried the weight of half his team; in life, he carried the weight (the amount of trials) of a community. David's story is so sobering, so inspiring. I still don't know how he did so much. I hope his life can be an example for me, for my children, and for many others. David Draney is a hero. His story in movie form could inspire millions.

I trained with Dave at BYU in the early 90's teaching him the pole vault. He was a super individual and I think of him often. He was so full of life, strong, vibrant, funny.

Did you know when Dave learned to pole vault he cleared 15'6" in less than two weeks? While the rest of us mortals learned to crash at 9-10 feet he had to learn at nearly 16. Thus Dave used to dawn a bicycle helmet, motorcycle shoulder pads, a mouth guard, and knee and shoulder pads. He was quite a site coming down the runway, let me tell you!

I taught school in Star Valley, WY for nearly 18 years. Carol Draney was my student teacher for one of those years. It happened to be the year that David was first diagnosed with cancer, and the year she was in the first weeks of pregnancy with Jaxon. It is hard to express what absolutely inspiring people the Draneys are. So impressive, in fact, that I began interviewing them, as I wanted to write a book. I was dear friends with David's Gramma, Laura, and we met often at her home to share the story. I never wrote the book, but have a file of treasures from their lives. Carol now teaches near me in Utah. She and the kids are beautiful and doing well. I remember well when David was honored in an Afton parade when Rulon Gardner (Greco-Roman gold medalist)hung his gold medal around David's neck to honor HIM as a hero and example of goodness and courage. I remember, also, the fly-fishing rods that David made, gave away, and used to take his mind off of himself, and to live his last days for others. P.S. David was an also accomplished violinist!

What a wonderful story..... my son is 20, we have been dealing with the same sarcoma for a year now. As heart breaking as your story was I am grateful for it. God Bless you and yours.