Flip Saunders announces he has Hodgkin's lymphoma

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This just makes me sad. For any of you that know me, blood cancers is what I work to raise money and awareness for...it's because every time someone is diagnosed, it just breaks my heart.

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per 1500:

Saunders, who played college basketball at the University of Minnesota, can count another supporter in former Gophers star and current Twins manager Paul Molitor.

The news reached Molitor about the same time it did the rest of the population. At the time he spoke to the media, Molitor hadn't yet reached out to Saunders, but he recounted their days together at the U and wanted to send his support.

"You never like to hear that. Flip and I haven't had a lot of contact through the years but we go back to our days as Gophers. Playing different sports but we kind of hit it off back in the day. It's been fun to watch everything he's been able to accomplish in the game," Molitor said.

"But when you get away from throwing the ball up in the air and hitting the ball around on the baseball field, there's a lot bigger things. And he found out recently that he's got a battle out there in front of him. I guess the good news is that it's a fairly high success rate as far as the treatable cancers, and he's also fortunate that he gets to use a facility like Mayo," Molitor said. "Certainly we'll all be thinking about him and pulling for him. He's got a lot of fight in him."

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...ghts_to_Saunders_after_cancer_diagnosis081215

Go Gophers!!
 

Good luck to Flip with this. I'm wishing him the best.
 

Do we know the specific name of the cancer Flip has?

You can beat it, Flip.
 

Hodgkins Lymphoma is considered very treatable. It is a type that can be treated into remission and never recur, or possibly recur.
Definitely not the worst news in terms of cancers.
 


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My prayers are with Flip for a speedy recovery.
 

Flip Saunders, battling cancer, hospitalized; Wolves turn to Mitchell, Newton

Recent challenges in Flip Saunders’ battle with Hodgkins lymphoma have put him in the hospital. The head coach and president of basketball operations will take a full leave, as the Timberwolves turn to temporary replacements for all his duties.

Sam Mitchell will serve as interim head coach while general manager Milt Newton will assume an increased role of the team’s basketball operations.

Saunders underwent chemotherapy after being diagnosed earlier this summer. But he recently experienced complications from his completed treatments that required him to be admitted to a local hospital. He is now getting additional testing and treatment.

“First and foremost, my immediate concern is for the Saunders family and the health of Flip Saunders,” Wolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement released by the team. “Our priority now is for him to regain his strength so that he can be 100 percent when he returns to his Timberwolves duties. In the interim I remain confident in the direction of our team. I have known Sam Mitchell for a number of years, back to his playing days in Minnesota.”

Saunders and his wife, Debbie, have four children, including Ryan, a Wolves assistant coach. The Saunders family released a statement Friday:

“A sincere thank you to the medical team that has been watching over Flip throughout this process. Since his initial diagnosis, the support we have received from everyone has been tremendous. Our focus right now is on Flip and his healing process. We are grateful for the prayers, concern, and support for Flip and our family during this time. The family would appreciate everyone continuing to respect our privacy going forward as we journey down the road ahead. We are fully committed to Flip’s long-term health and look forward to him returning to his Timberwolves responsibilities at the appropriate time.”..

http://www.startribune.com/flip-sau...zed-wolves-turn-to-mitchell-newton/326672401/
 

http://www.kare11.com/story/sports/...ed--hospital-mitchell-named-interim/72064472/

"Due to recent events in Flip Saunders' health, it has become clear that he will be unable to perform his duties with our franchise as we enter into the 2015-2016 season," said Rob Moor, chief executive officer for the Timberwolves.

Moor went on to say that Saunders is in the care of specialists from the Mayo Clinic but did not specify a timetable for his return.

"We believe it will be measured in months, not weeks," he said. "To attempt to place a timeline on things at this time would be unfair to the due process of his recovery."

Saunders has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments since being diagnosed earlier this summer. He was admitted to a local area hospital where he's undergoing further tests and treatment.

In his absence, the Wolves announced Sam Mitchell as the interim head coach. Timberwolves general manager Milt Newton will also assume an increased role in the day-to-day and strategic operations...

When Saunders announced his condition in August, he said his doctors called his prognosis "very treatable and curable." Saunders hoped then to be ready to resume his responsibilities when training camp got into full swing.

In a written statement released by the team, owner Glen Taylor said the focus is on the Saunders family. "First and foremost, my immediate concern is for the Saunders family and the health of Flip," he said. "Our priority right now is for him to regain his strength so that he can be 100 percent when he returns to his Timberwolves duties."
 



Awful news. Prayers an best wishes, Coach.
 

Wishing the best for Flip, get well soon!
 

This is not surprising - while certainly it is possible that this may not bode well, Hodgkins often requires tweeking to get the therapy that works. Many people have early treatment fails before they get it just right. I never thought it was realistic that he would coach this year.
 

Good thoughts for you, Flip...you'll beat this!
 




This is much more serious than a tweaking of treatments. Prayers to Flip.
 

rychart45 said:
This is much more serious than a tweaking of treatments. Prayers to Flip.
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There is never anything about changing treatment of cancer that is not 'serious'. Nevertheless, this type of cancer treatment is known for its setbacks that do not eliminate the possibility of a good outcome. Unless you have some inside information about what is going on, there isn't a good reason to abandon hope that things will still work out well for him. People go into cancer treatment planning for the best road - and rightfully so - and often have to deal with the reality of the toll the treatment challenges takes on the body.
And yes, prayers for Flip and his healing.
 

Saunders Not Likely To Coach This Season

In a web chat with readers on Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune‘s Jerry Zgoda relays what he knows about Saunders’ health, and it’s not exactly encouraging.

Here’s what Zgoda said:

There’s no question things have changed dramatically since the team announced his diagnosis in August, back when it quoted his doctors saying the cancer was very treatable and curable. Since then there have been changes to the way his body handled the chemotherapy (and maybe how much cancer they’ve found) that have made it life threatening. Everyone involved has gone radio silent because of the family’s request for privacy and federal patient-privacy laws, etc., but between the complete silence, the lack of people visiting as far as I can tell apart from his immediate family and very inner circle while he remains hospitalized here in Minneapolis and the things I’m hearing second-hand, well, none of it is good. I’ll just say this, and this is just my own opinion, if he pulls through this: I doubt very much he’s back this year, it’s probably unlikely he coaches again just because of the stress inherent doing both those jobs and I think there’s a pretty good chance he doesn’t return full time to either job. As far as the franchise goes, that will put them in a holding pattern for some time. I can’t see Glen Taylor allowing Milt Newton and Sam to make a major decision until they know more about Flip’s future and Glen decides who will run his team for the long term. I wouldn’t assume it’ll be Milt and Sam going forward, that’s just for the short term until things become clearer.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/10/01...likely-to-return-to-timberwolves-this-season/
 

Iceland12 said:
In a web chat with readers on Thursday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune‘s Jerry Zgoda relays what he knows about Saunders’ health, and it’s not exactly encouraging.

Here’s what Zgoda said:

There’s no question things have changed dramatically since the team announced his diagnosis in August, back when it quoted his doctors saying the cancer was very treatable and curable. Since then there have been changes to the way his body handled the chemotherapy (and maybe how much cancer they’ve found) that have made it life threatening. Everyone involved has gone radio silent because of the family’s request for privacy and federal patient-privacy laws, etc., but between the complete silence, the lack of people visiting as far as I can tell apart from his immediate family and very inner circle while he remains hospitalized here in Minneapolis and the things I’m hearing second-hand, well, none of it is good. I’ll just say this, and this is just my own opinion, if he pulls through this: I doubt very much he’s back this year, it’s probably unlikely he coaches again just because of the stress inherent doing both those jobs and I think there’s a pretty good chance he doesn’t return full time to either job. As far as the franchise goes, that will put them in a holding pattern for some time. I can’t see Glen Taylor allowing Milt Newton and Sam to make a major decision until they know more about Flip’s future and Glen decides who will run his team for the long term. I wouldn’t assume it’ll be Milt and Sam going forward, that’s just for the short term until things become clearer.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/10/01...likely-to-return-to-timberwolves-this-season/
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Very sad to hear this news. Godspeed to Flip and is family.
 

Good thoughts for Flip[ and his family. To say he probably doesn't work full time as either GM or coach ever again I find at best not necessary. A lot a speculation without any facts. Zgoda must feel flapping his gums and old lady type gossip is what the public wants. Not me anyway, hope Flip can one day get back to doing what he loves . Just can't see how you can speculate a man's career is over for good. Plenty of cancer survivors. Some coaching basketball.
 

Reusse was talking about this today on radio. He was choosing his words very carefully.(more so than Blackhammer). Reusse sounded very concerned and it doesn't sound good.
 

God speed to Flip and his family. My family was struck with non-hodgkin's lymphoma. I know fully well how stress plays a role.
 

I probably got my hopes up initially because at first they made it sound like it wasn't THAT bad.

Selfishly, I wish him luck because he's been great for the Wolves. He seems like a great person besides that, though. Always love his interviews and listening to him talk basketball.

I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemies. Cancer sucks.

Get well, Flip!

It'd be cool if the team shaved their heads like the Gophers did for that Badgers game for PC.
 

per Sid:

Saunders hurting

An unlimited number of prayers should be said for the recovery of former Gophers player and current Timberwolves president of basketball operations and head coach Flip Saunders, who is seriously ill and resting at the University of Minnesota Hospital.

Saunders acquired pneumonia while taking chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and the word around Target Center on Wednesday night at the Lynx game was things are not good. His son, Ryan, who is a Timberwolves assistant coach, has spent most of his time in the hospital, along with the rest of the family, at his father’s bedside.

My heart bleeds for Flip, who I’ve been close to since he stepped on the Williams Arena court in September 1973, 42 years ago. We’ve spent a lot of time together. He’s a tremendous father, and his wife, Debbie, is a superwoman.

Things were going great for him with the Timberwolves and he was looking forward to an outstanding season. It is such a sad story that it brings tears to my eyes.

http://www.startribune.com/after-super-bowl-iv-loss-vikings-crushed-chiefs-in-rematch/333136361/
 

That is very hard to read and hear. My prayers are Flip gets back to work. He loves his family and basketball! His family needs him. Minnesota needs Flip! My prayers are that he can fight through this.
Godspeed Flip!
 


HOOP DREAMS said:
Prayers for Flip.
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http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_28976596/tom-izzo-chokes-up-over-flip-saunders-health

Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo got choked up Thursday talking about the battle his friend, Timberwolves coach and director of basketball operations Flip Saunders, is having with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Izzo said he talked to Saunders the day before he left for the Spartans' foreign trip to Italy in late August and hasn't spoken to him since.

The Wolves announced in September that Saunders would take a leave of absence from his duties with the team to get cancer treatment. His family has remained silent on Saunders' condition since then.

Izzo, who knew Saunders as the Detroit Pistons coach, stays in touch through Saunders' son, Ryan, a Wolves assistant.

"There's not a lot of information right now, and it's scary," Izzo said. "I feel for his wife, Debbie, and his family. I love Flip, and what saddens me is I know every step he went through to trying to rebuild the Timberwolves, to who he's hired and who he's drafted, who he's traded for, the decisions he's made and the facilities. He's got the whole thing going his way right now.

"I need him to get back and see what he's built. At least that's what my prayers are."
 

Prayers to Flip. It almost seems like I know him. First as a kid watching the Gophers, then having a friend who went to Golden Valley cc so I attend to a few games there, Then he later he coached just across the river from me for the La Crosse Catbirds. All I ever heard was great things about him. Still a young man with so much ahead in regards to family and his passion basketball. Godspeed Flip.
 

Blackhammer said:
Prayers to Flip. It almost seems like I know him. First as a kid watching the Gophers, then having a friend who went to Golden Valley cc so I attend to a few games there, Then he later he coached just across the river from me for the La Crosse Catbirds. All I ever heard was great things about him. Still a young man with so much ahead in regards to family and his passion basketball. Godspeed Flip.
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Ditto. I was going to Augsburg when Flip was coaching at Golden Valley, and he used to bring his team over to Auggie to scrimmage against Irv Inniger's team. And you're right, The Catbirds had a really fun team under Flip. I used to go to a lot of games with my brother. (Blackhammer - FYI, I'm originally from Houston - sounds like you're from that neck of the woods....)
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Ditto. I was going to Augsburg when Flip was coaching at Golden Valley, and he used to bring his team over to Auggie to scrimmage against Irv Inniger's team. And you're right, The Catbirds had a really fun team under Flip. I used to go to a lot of games with my brother. (Blackhammer - FYI, I'm originally from Houston - sounds like you're from that neck of the woods....)
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Spring Grove, home of Gopher pitching coach Todd Oaks who is fighting his own battle with cancer right now. Everyone include him in your thoughts and prayers as well.
Flip really had the area basketball fans excited with his Catbird teams. If I remember right at Golden Valley he used some of the pregame entertanment stuff Musselman had used at the U.
 

Blackhammer said:
Spring Grove, home of Gopher pitching coach Todd Oaks who is fighting his own battle with cancer right now. Everyone include him in your thoughts and prayers as well.
Flip really had the area basketball fans excited with his Catbird teams. If I remember right at Golden Valley he used some of the pregame entertanment stuff Musselman had used at the U.
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From Oct 2013.......Larry Novotny is founder and head of Alexandria Aces.
http://www.echopress.com/content/awesome-aces-start-something-special


Alexandria’s Larry Novotny was a star-struck 18-year-old at Golden Valley Lutheran College with a pretty good handle on the basketball court when Flip Saunders first approached him.

Saunders, a guy with 638 wins as an NBA head coach and now the president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, got his first head coaching job at the small school in 1977. He was looking for guys who could help his team in any way possible when he asked Novotny if he was interested in trying out.

“I said, ‘You have so many all-state guys, I don’t think I will. I’m not that good,’ ” Novotny recalled. “He saw me doing some basketball handling, a little bit of trickery and he said, ‘Why don’t you be on the team and really be our ball handling specialist, not so much for games, but we’ll do a pregame show like we used to do at the [University of Minnesota] under Bill Musselman.’ "
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