When times get tough, Mountain MacGillivray relies on his faith and his family.
The past few years have certainly been tough for the La Salle women’s basketball coach, but he continues to count his blessings.
“I know, this wasn’t a test from God in any way, but I wanted to make sure he knew he could intervene because no matter what, I wasn’t going to lose my faith,” MacGillivray said.
Back in 2022the La Salle women’s basketball team showed support for MacGillivray and his daughter Emily, who was battling leukemia.
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She went into remission, but by October the cancer was back.
Not soon after, MacGillivray lost his father.
“Yes, there have been some tough times, I’ve dealt with some tough things, but I have so many blessings in my life,” MacGillivray said.
During these difficult times, it is his family that has pulled him through, and that includes his work family.
“Everyone was there for us,” he said. “I didn’t make a meal at home for a month and a half; people kept bringing us food.”
“That’s how people can survive tough times — if they have people in their corner,” MacGillivray said.
Emily is about to undergo T-cell therapy, and the 5-year-old has an uphill battle ahead of her.
‘They hope that the T cells will defeat the leukemia. That’s clearly the plan. There is obviously a lot more to it – the science is beyond my head – and it could go either way. … A lot of scary things can happen,” he said. “But also a lot of hope and positive results.”
MacGillivray noted that the first person to undergo T-cell therapy is still doing well – and her name is Emily.
“Hopefully that’s a good omen,” MacGillivray said.
He deals with this as he coaches at La Salle and tries to instill in his players the values that will last long after their playing days.
“I tell them every day to live in the moment. The only thing you can control is the now,” he said.
La Salle guard Sania Jenkins said she admires MacGillivray’s spirit.
“If I experienced something of that caliber, I would break down,” Jenkins said. “It’s inspiring to convey that strength both at work and outside with his family.”
“I can constantly count the blessings I have, and they are all gifts from God,” MacGillivray said. “And there won’t be a pity party anytime soon.”
