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Here is the statement he made (thanks to Ryan Lawrence of the Daily News)
“Thanks to all of you guys and everything that we’ve experienced in the last month. It was a little surprising when it happened. I remember being on 97.5 The Fanatic for the show this season, there were a couple of appearances where I couldn’t figure out what was going on, I was having trouble explaining a little bit of baseball after doing it for 20 years of my life, experiencing this, it was a little difficult.
Right now, I have a little bit of a problem during the day, every now and then, where I can’t understand… I have a problem with talking. But this eventually is – I’ll get better. But being a part of Philadelphia for all of these seasons, and going to Alumni Weekend it just really, really… you really get to hang your hat for the weekend. It’s Philadelphia. For many years, I feel like it’s my home. It feels like it’s my family. I really enjoy this. And this weekend we’re going to have a blast. It’s fun to be a part of.
What I’m experiencing right now, it’s going to start next Friday (chemotherapy). But I’m a player. Right now I think I’m done, with the surgery and everything. I really think I am. But for some reason I’m supposed to go through the chemotherapy. I can’t talk about it, but I feel like it’s over. Again, thank you everybody here in Philadelphia. The fans – it’s just been phenomenal. … Thank you all very much.”
It’s amazing to see Dutch talking, smiling, laughing, just like we all know him. But the fact is, the hardest part is coming. As he said, chemo starts soon and it’s not going to be an easy process.
If you want to get involved and help Dutch pay his medical bills, click this link to buy the shirt to the top right. The #RightOnFightOn shirt is for sale for $20 and all proceeds go to Dutch. Over 1,200 of them sold in the first 48 hours!
