Flip Saunders is diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Flip Saunders earlier today announced he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma disease.

Cancer is a crippling disease which has killed millions with only a fortunate few who have survived. Several iconic sports figures have suffered from this debilitating disease from George Karl to Curt Schilling. Iconic ESPN anchor Stuart Scott who received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs last year also battled cancer until he pasted away on January 4th, 2015.

Some people are able to deal with the array of chemotherapy treatments and beat cancer. Hall of Fame pitcher and Baseball Tonight analyst Curt Schilling and former NBA Coach of the Year George Karl survived but not too many people outside of Schilling and Karl have been fortunate enough to be diagnosed with cancer and live to tell the tell.

Flip Saunders is currently the coach, team president and part owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Saunders has been a coach for 17 seasons in the NBA and has made the playoffs 11 of the 14 full seasons he has coached including four Conference Finals appearances.

Saunders has built a legacy with Minnesota from his four years playing at the University of Minnesota to coaching 10 straight seasons with the Timberwolves during the Kevin Garnett era. He also seems to be the man capable of pulling Minnesota out of a 10-year playoff drought. This is also the last time Saunders coached the Timberwolves.

Last year president Saunders drafted athletic combo guard and 2015 Sprite Slam Dunk champ Zach LaVine out of UCLA and got rid of perennial All-Star Kevin Love but, picked up the 2014 NBA Draft's first overall pick and 2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins. He followed up by drafting Karl Anthony-Towns from the University of Kentucky with the No. 1 overall pick and trading for 2015 Final Four Most Outstanding Player Tyus Jones out of Duke.

Saunders has stated he will undergo chemotherapy treatment soon and will still coach the Timberwolves this season. Although, Minnesota says the organization will work around his schedule as he deals with this dire situation.

Basketball aside cancer is not something to be taken lightly. The disease affects millions from the people who unfortunately acquire the disease to the loved ones of the patients who deal with cancer. Hopefully Saunders is able to defeat cancer and continue to live life to the fullest.

2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins