UNCW’s Harris completes goal of working every home UNCW basketball game despite stage three cancer diagnoses

"Year 51 here I come," proclaimed the 78-year-old

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) – On Thursday, the UNCW women’s basketball team wrapped up a successful home slate of the season, defeating Hampton for the 8th conference win of the year.

But the biggest victor of the night was working the scorer’s table: Jim Harris is beating cancer.

“I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday to go over the progress (of my cancer fight),” said Jim Harris. WWAY chronicled the Seahawk Lifer’s journey at the beginning of the season when he was diagnosed. “My P.S.A level was down to .03, which is almost non-existent,” Harris said with a fist pump. “We are very excited about how things are going.”

Not only did he accomplish his goal for this year, but he is also taking to cancer. Since being diagnosed this summer, he feels he is 60% back to full capacity and says his doctors may cut back on medication over the next year depending on his condition. To help him get back to 100% this spring and summer, he will go to UNCW baseball games, play golf, help out on the family farm, and traveling before the school season begins again.

Plus, he is committing to another basketball season already. “Year 51 here I come,” proclaimed the 78-year-old. “That was one thing I made up my mind already. I am going to come back for one more year.”

Harris adds one silver lining of his diagnoses and battle is helping his friends now monitor their own health better.