College in Vermont signs 10-year-old cancer survivor to basketball team

NORTHFIELD, Vt. — A 10-year-old cancer survivor is now living out his basketball dream thanks to a university in Vermont.

On Monday, Jimmy Giroux signed a national letter of intent with the men’s basketball team at Norwich University

When Jimmy was 8 months old, he was diagnosed with leukemia, and after years of treatment and surgeries, including two bone marrow transplants, he’s leukemia-free.

The treatments were severe, and have permanently affected Jimmy’s growth. However, that doesn’t stop him from living life to the fullest.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster. We’ve had our ups and we’ve had our downs. There have been more downs than ups, but lately we’ve had more ups,” said Rick Giroux, Jimmy’s father. “We’ve had a lot of positive things happen to us, and Jimmy’s always seemed to be the glue to this family.”

Jimmy has had a positive impact on his new teammates as well.

“I’ve never met a kid with more heart in my entire life,” said Norwich senior Tom McDonald. “I’ve never met a more competitive person, in anything, in my entire life.”

After signing his letter, it was time to get ready for the night’s game against Mount IDA.

“It’s an honor to do this because most people wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing,” Jimmy Giroux said.

WPXI