Wednesday, Rick Pitino appeared on Rome is Burning in order to promote his new book, Rebound Rules: The Art of Success 2.0. At the end of the interview, Pitino was asked what the he thought key to overcoming serious adversity was. This was his response:

"I think just not focusing in on your problems, because there are so many people with loved ones suffering from Cancer, so many people suffering from other economical problems, so many people suffering from losing a loved one. I think you have to channel all your emotions to other people's problems and how you can impact their life in a positive way and help ease their pain. I think when you start thinking about other people rather than yourself and the pain that you feel, it's great therapy for you to try and help someone else. By easing the pain of someone else, it eases your pain."

It's a wonderful piece of advice, and one that seems especially prescient right now.

If you've been a reader of this site for more than a couple of weeks, you're undoubtedly familiar with the contributions of a man known as Jerb. His actual name is Justin Bowen, and his work putting Cardinal clips on YouTube and full games on his website have made him perhaps the single greatest reason why it's easier to be a diehard U of L fan from out-of-town than at any other point in history. 

On Tuesday, Justin's five-year-old son, Shawn, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia. Since ALL is a disease which can worsen quickly, Shawn has already undergone surgery and started chemotherapy. If all goes well, he will begin to feel like himself again in six months, but won't fully overcome the disease for anywhere from two and-a-half to three and-a-half years.

For more information, I urge you to check out ShawnBown.net.

The last thing any parent should be forced to think about in a time like this is money, so multiple fundraising ventures have already been set in motion. The easiest way to help out is to go to Shawn's site and donate online. Also, plans for a golf scramble and a fundraiser at the BBC on Nov. 8 are in the development stage.

For us, U of L athletics are one of those necessary distractions which make life that much more enjoyable. Treating every game like the fate of the world depends on it makes it all the more exciting, but in the back of our minds I think we're all conscious of the fact that it isn't real. This is real. Helping the Bowens out in any capacity dwarfs wearing white to a home game against Georgetown or getting the people sitting around you to stand up and yell on third and short. If you have the means to help out in any way, please do. 

Shawn, Justin and the entire Bowen family are in my thoughts.