We came across the story of Patrice Millet, who has had to fight off cancer not once, but twice. A gentleman who lives in one of the poorest countries in the world, a country that suffered one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. In Haiti, there is very little in abundance, other than maybe obstacles to succeed.

Patrice’s story and his efforts are captured in a piece by CNN. Patrice has started started a program called FONDAPS, which stands for Foundation Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours (Foundation of Our Lady of Perpetual Help). The program uses soccer to help children stay out of trouble and learn valuable life skills.

Patrice’s story is uplifting but not without pain and heartache. But as he says himself, “Sometimes you win, sometime you lose. … But this is the way you win in life.” You have to keep battling. His message, as captured in a few excerpted quotes and seen in the video and article, are ones that we can also embrace.

From Patrice:

“In soccer … you need to give, you need to receive, you need team spirit, discipline, sportsmanship. … It’s not all about soccer, it’s about life.”

“I said, ‘I’d rather die doing something good than die in bed.’ ”

“When you live in the ghetto, you don’t see the world outside,” he said. “I try to bring hope for them, … to show them that (their) life is not only the reality.”

“When they win, they are happy and they know that it’s because they worked hard for it. … That is the message I want to tell them. “Sometimes you win, sometime you lose. … But this is the way you win in life.”

To learn about the incredible CNN Heroes program, please click here.