If you are a college basketball fan, you probably know two things this morning 1) UConn won the national championship on Monday night and 2) little 8-year old Lacey Hollsworth died yesterday after battling cancer. America got to know this emotional story as Lacey played such a pivotal role in Michigan State University’s late season run and because of her special relationship with MSU’s big man, Adreian Payne. Adreian carried her out on Senior Night, had her cut down the nets after the Big 10 Championship and touched the ball for good luck before Adreian slammed the ball at the NCAA Final Four slam dunk contest.
Back Story: In 2011, the men’s basketball team went to a local hospital on a semi-routine visit to cheer up kids struggling with different diseases. One of those patients was Lacey. She had neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that attacks the nerves. At the end of the visit, she asked Adreian to stick around. For the better part of 2.5 years, they developed a close sibling-like relationship. He referred to her as “sis” and she referred to him as “Superman.” He would visit her at her house and at the hospital and she would visit him on campus. The would text each other nearly everyday.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBmEQlToMFA (video)
http://msn.foxsports.com/detroit/story/cancer-claims-8-year-old-princess-lacey-040914 (story)
Author’s Perspective #1 – What Adreian Provided: Lacey only lived 8 years, and as the father of four young girls, her death makes me weep. And yet, I am comforted knowing that an almost complete stranger put a smile on her face as she valiantly fought cancer. Payne allowed her to experience something special before she died. I bet if you asked Lacey, she would have told you that she lived a fulfilling life.
Author’s Perspective #2 – What Lacey Provided: Lacey said she initially picked Adreian because of his smile. She had no idea that Adreian’s mother died when he was young and that his grandmother, who raised him, recently died. In a strange irony, Lacey gave Payne what he needed too – a sense of family. He needed someone to inspire him, someone to make him a better person and someone to accompany him on senior night.
Author’s Perspective #3 – What More Can We do: There are hundreds of thousands of stories like Lacey in the world. The sad truth is that kids struggle with and die from awful diseases on a daily basis. And, most of them don’t have the kind of inspirational relationships with athletes who are their heroes. My wonder is what I, you or all us can do to help those kids who are still alive and struggling. You don’t need to be an athlete in order to be a hero!
Your Turn: Please place your comments below, (2) like and share our Facebook page (character development & leadership) or (3) tweet to @CDandLeadership using #Lacey)
(1) When reading about this and watching the video, how did you feel? Why?
(2) Upon reflecting upon this story, do you think you could do anything to inspire or put a smile on a child’s face who is battling with such painful diseases?
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1. I felt that it was kind to visit a hospital full of kids to entertain them and that he showed a lot of compassion because many people don’t do that.
2. I think I can do something to put a smile on a child’s face who is battling with such painful diseases like donating toys to them and trying to become friends with them.
1. i feel inspired to be supportive and encouraging towards all children because we don’t know what anyone goes through
2. Yes visit with them tell them stories
I felt he showed alot of compassion because he went and visited the kids in the hospital.
I feel I can help put a smile on these kids faces by visiting them and talking to them, raising money, donating toys and clothing.
1. It was a sad story, but it had a very uplifting mood to it.
2. I think just by being there you can help a child in need.
1. It was a sad story, but it had a very good mood to it.
2. I think just by being there you can help a child in need.
1. It was a very depressing story but it had a bright light behind the story.
2. Usually by just being there for a child you can help them out much more than not
1. The story was sad, but it got lighter and you saw the true meaning.
2. You can help a child in need.
It was a sad story, but it had a very uplifting mood to it.
1. It was a very depressing story but it had a bright light behind the story.
2. Usually by just being there for a child you can help them out much more than not
1. It was a very depressing story but it had a bright light behind the story.
2. Usually by just being there for a child you can help them out much more than not
I felt he showed alot of compassion because he went and visited the kids in the hospital.
I feel I can help put a smile on these kids faces by visiting them and talking to them, raising money, donating toys and clothing.
1. It was a very depressing story but it had a bright light behind the story.
2. Usually by just being there for a child you can help them out much more than not
I felt bad that the little girl died at a young age.
The show of compassion here is amazing, the willingness of the player to do more than his responsibility, and going above and beyond in order to care for those in need.
It made me feel good that the story had good meaning but it sucked because of the ending.
I think someone can visit them where ever they are and try to make their life just a little bit better than what it was
When reading about this and watching the video, how did you feel? Why?
Made me feel empathy because of the fact that I have lost people to similar causes.
Upon reflecting upon this story, do you think you could do anything to inspire or put a smile on a child’s face who is battling such painful diseases?
Possibly become the doctor to cure cancer and save millions of people but that’s highly unrealistic.
this can help children in need and it was an uplifting story.
1. I mean I don’t know how I felt I just watched the video
2. Yeah there are ways I just don’t know what ways there would be.
its very unfortunate that she passed but i’m glad that she got to do all these things before she did and Adreian Payne will always be known for this compassionate act.
1) It’s amazing yet sad. He helped this girl from everything she wanted.
2) Yes I would.
1. It is inspiring and sad
2. Yes, visiting them and being there friend
1. It is inspiring and sad but I’m glad she had a friend
2. Yes, visiting them and being their friend
1. It is inspiring and sad but I’m glad she had a friend
2. Yes, visiting them and being their friend
it’s sad that she passed away at a young age
no, I am not a fun person