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RALEIGH – N.C. State football coach Tom O'Brien announced Monday that offensive coordinator Dana Bible missed his first game or practice in more than 30 years last week because he's receiving treatment for leukemia.

The voice of the Wolfpack for the past 20 years, Gary Hahn, also missed last week's game because of surgery for prostate cancer.

“It really brings back a lot of memories,” said Bobby Purcell, executive director for the Wolfpack Club. “We've been through this a number of times here at N.C. State.”

The university’s highest profile cancer battles came from legendary basketball coaches Jim Valvano and Kay Yow.

“Jimmy V.” died from the disease in 1993, a year after his diagnosis.

“They actually won the NCAA one year [when] I was here. It was really fun,” said NCSU alumna Diane Simpson. “It was sad to hear him get cancer.”

Yow battled breast cancer for more than 20 years. She passed away in January.

The NC State Athletics Department also lost two long-time administrative assistants – Kay Brewer and Pam Speight – to cancer this year.

“I think it has brought us closer together as we battle some of these things together,” Purcell said. “As we celebrate this Thanksgiving season, let's keep things in perspective and realize what's really important in life.”

Wolfpack fans say one positive thing that has come from these public battles with cancer is increased fundraising for cancer research.

“I'm in the Student Wolfpack Club and our T-shirts have the pink breast cancer ribbon on them,” said freshman Hannah Simpson. “I think part of our proceeds go to breast cancer research.”

Representatives say Hahn is recovering well from the surgery and is expected to call the matchup between NCSU and UNC Chapel Hill Saturday.

The Wolfpack Club is also starting a new fundraiser at that game. You can donate to the Kay Yow Scholarship Fund by texting the word "GO" to 50555. Each text message will add a $5 donation to your cell phone bill.