Michigan State’s Adreian Payne Loses His Biggest Little Fan To Cancer, But Her Memory Lives On
Hey Briana Buddies-
Happy hump day! March Madness is officially over and even though my Syracuse “Orangemen” from the Big East did not make it to the final four, I am glad that the UConn Huskies won!
I can honestly admit that I am a bit of a sensitive and emotional person when it comes to people, kids, pets, compassion stories…ok everything! This one human interest story really touched me because I can definitely say that we all have things in our lives that we may want to improve on; our lifestyles, circumstances and even physical characteristics. When a relationship that is so unique but perfect is established, you have no choice but to reflect on gratitude…
College basketball fans across the country fell for the story of an uncommon friendship between a hoops star and one of his biggest fans: 6’10” Adreian Payne, a senior on the Michigan State Spartans, and a little girl in a long blonde wig who went by the nickname “Princess Lacey.”
Lacey Holsworth, age 8, of St. Johns, Mich., died early Wednesday morning, from a rare form of cancer. The friendship between Payne and Lacey wasn’t just unusual, it was unlikely. Many expected Payne to leave Michigan State University for the NBA after his junior year. But Payne, who had been diagnosed as cognitively disabled as a child in Dayton, Ohio, wanted to finish his coursework in sociology and become the first person from his family to earn a college degree. Two years ago, during a team-sponsored hospital visit, he met Lacey, who had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive cancer that invades the nerve tissue.
Her official Instagram account shared this photo around 3 a.m. Wednesday, along with the accompanying caption: “Princess Lacey has achieved the ultimate victory. She now dances among angels…. The world is a better place because you were in it. Our hearts are broken. We love you Doll. Dance all night… Mommy and Daddy, Will, Mitchell, and Luke #LoveLikeLacey.”
“She has taught me to fight through everything, to always continue to have a smile on my face,” Payne said , “even when things are going wrong.
Signing off,
Sahar
