Officers ‘No Shave November’ supports cancer research in memory of Greg Feldman

 

[December 08, 2019] 

On Monday morning officers representing the Logan County Sheriff’s Department gathered at the Logan County Courthouse to announce this year’s “No Shave November” donation to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

During No Shave November Logan County deputies, detectives and the correctional officers at the Logan County Jail grow beards in exchange for a donation to the V Foundation. This year the donations made by the officers along with contributions from Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers, the deputies’ union and others totaled $1,370.

The donation this year was in honor of Greg “Flako” Feldman, who passed away in July of 2018. Feldman’s wife Teena is a secretary at the Logan County Sheriff’s Department.  The first local V-Foundation fundraiser was spearheaded by close family friend Todd Lowman.  Lowman began planning the fundraiser with the blessing of the Feldman's before Greg passed away.  However, Greg was going downhill quickly at the end and he did not stay to see the first fundraiser take place. Since that time the fundraising efforts have been ongoing and after the first year, Feldman said this community has contributed $57,000 to the V Foundation in memory of her husband.

The V Foundation was founded in 1993 by Jim Valvano after being diagnosed with cancer at age 46. Valvano was a renowned athlete. He played basketball for Rutgers University in New Jersey. He coached basketball for North Carolina State University from 1980 to 1990 and was a sports broadcaster for ESPN and ABC sports.

Valvano died April 28, 1993 while a patient at Duke University in North Carolina.

Though he suffered with cancer, his outlook on life was positive and he worked tirelessly to impress upon others the joy of living life to the fullest and embracing all that is good. After his death, his good friend Duke University Men's Basketball Head Coach Mike W. Krzyzewski recalled a conversation he had with Valvano in the hospital at Duke. "Jimmy formed the V Foundation during the last couple months of his life. We would laugh, joke and cry at the hospital together. One night he said, 'I want to try to fund researchers to attack cancer. I want you to be on my team.' He recruited me during that time. His wisdom and his ability to think beyond his life was incredible."

During his well-known speech at the ESPN awards just months before he died Valvano spoke about his cancer, his life, and what he wanted for others.

“I just got one last thing; I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going. To be enthusiastic every day, and Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great could be accomplished without enthusiasm,” to keep your dreams alive in spite of problems whatever you have. The ability to be able to work hard for your dreams to come true, to become a reality.

“We need money for research. It may not save my life. It may save my children’s lives. It may save someone you love. And it’s very important. And ESPN has been so kind to support me in this endeavor and allow me to announce tonight, that with ESPN’s support, which means what? Their money and their dollars and they’re helping me—we are starting the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. And its motto is, “Don’t give up . . . don’t ever give up.”

Back in Lincoln, Greg Feldman was loved by many and when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer it was a hard pill to swallow. After he passed away, his wife Teena wanted Greg’s life and death to have a deeper meaning for the world, and supporting the V Foundation was going to become a big part of that.

Teena Feldman on Monday talked about the V Foundation. She said that the foundation is doing incredible work and devoting a lot of money to cancer research for cancers of all types. She said that the foundation was set up so that 100 percent of every donation goes directly to research. Administrative costs for running the foundation are funded through a trust fund endowment so all the donations made can be put where it counts most, in fighting cancer.

It was noted by Deputy Trent Park that Greg Feldman was a big Duke fan, and a fan of sports on the whole. Because he shared that commonality with Jim Valvano, contributing to the V Foundation in Feldman’s memory seemed more than fitting.

Some may have seen the Winter Wonderland tree set close to the courthouse decorated in Blue and all things Duke. That tree was purchased and decorated in memory of Greg Feldman. On Monday, the deputies present for the announcement, along with Teena Feldman and Sheriff Landers gathered around the tree for a photo marking this year’s No Shave November donation to the V Foundation.

Along with the serious business of fundraising, there was a bit of humor on the side. The other Tina in the sheriff’s office – Tina O’Hare was designated as the judge of all beards. She took a good gander at all the beards present around the tree and declared that the best beard of the bunch belonged to Deputy Trent Park.

Sheriff Landers then awarded Park with a gift certificate as the best beard in the department.

Park said that this year the group had wanted to do something really special for Teena Feldman. He noted that Feldman will be retiring from the department the end of this year, so they wanted this donation to be a memorable event for her as she leaves her post as department secretary.

Feldman was overjoyed by the donation and the outpouring of love from her guys. She noted, “These are the best co-workers…these are the best friends I could ask for. More than $57,000 has been raised for the V Foundation in memory of Greg. Although Greg lost his fight, we all know someone who has been afflicted with cancer and I know that Greg would be proud to be helping others in their fight. I cannot thank these guys enough for their continued support, their generous hearts, and their friendship. I love them all.”

[Nila Smith]

The V Foundation for Cancer Research is dedicated to declaring victory over cancer. It was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator.
For more information visit www.jimmy v.org.