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Tag: Lacey Holsworth

  • Lacey Holsworth, Close Friend Of MSU’s Adreian Payne, Dies Of Cancer

    As a young girl battling cancer, Lacey Holsworth formed a strong bond with Adreian Payne especially, along with the rest of the Michigan State Spartans. She earned the nickname of “Princess Lacey,” and even gained national coverage through her incredible story, but lost her life this morning.

    She would accompany the team to their big games, and just last week, the 8-year-old was in Dallas, Texas cheering on Payne as he participated in a dunk contest that was held prior to the NCAA National Championship. She also traveled to New York in order to see them play in the NCAA tournament, where she was shown in the crowd.

    Lacey Holsworth became a close friend to Adreian Payne, and one of the faces of the Michigan State basketball team over the course of the season. The two of them met two years ago when Holsworth was in a hospital that the basketball team was visiting in Lansing, MI. Holsworth was from St. Johns, MI.

    Holsworth had been hospitalized for neuroblastoma, a rare childhood brain cancer, and while she gave a tough fight, her family announced her death via Instagram this morning, saying that she achieved the ultimate victory.

    The two of them shared an incredible bond, and Adreian Payne was looked up to as a big brother by “Princess Lacey.” Speaking on having her at the games, Payne said “It’s like having a family member who’s really sick. The only thing you can do is play basketball. You can’t be there with them. Just knowing that when I play well, it makes her happy. It feels like I’m doing something, in a way, to make her feel better.”

    The relationship with Payne and the rest of the Spartans certainly helped her keep fighting the cancer, and while she had some victories in her fight, the cancer kept coming back, and eventually spread to her neck, head and pelvic region.

    In addition to being Adreian Payne’s escort on senior night, Lacey Holsworth also went up to the top of the ladder with him in order to assist in cutting down the night following MSU’s win in the Big Ten Championship game against Michigan.

    Following the death of “Princess Lacey,” MSU’s coach Tom Izzo said “If there’s any way to go with dignity, she went (that way). Sad but I’m also proud, if that makes any sense.”

    Michigan State was predicted to go far in the NCAA tournament, and with the belief of Lacey Holsworth on their side, they made it to the Elite Eight, but could not get past UConn, who ended up winning the championship.

    The family of Lacey Holsworth will be in the thoughts of the Spartans and all of their fans, as they mourn their biggest little fan, “Princess Lacey.” Her bond with the Spartans was incredible to see, and the team continued to play for her, wanting to make their biggest fan proud.

    Image via Youtube

  • Lacey Holsworth, Friend of MSU’s Payne, Has Died

    When Michigan State won the Big Ten Championship this year in Indianapolis, center Adriean Payne took a special guest up the ladder with him to cut down the nets – 8-year-old Lacey Holsworth. While that 10-foot trip up the ladder allowed Lacey the opportunity to look down upon the world from new-found heights, she now stands watch over the entire world after her family reported her death from cancer Wednesday morning.

    Lacey first met Payne two years ago from her hospital bed in Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital during a Michigan State team visit. It was at that time that Payne learned Lacey suffered from neuroblastoma, a type of cancer in which immature neuroblast cells, near the spine, develop into cancer cells instead of mature, adult cells.

    Lacey did not let her battle with cancer put a damper upon her Michigan State basketball fandom, however, befriending Adriean Payne almost immediately. ”She loved unconditionally and without hesitation, spreading her smile and love throughout the world,” stated Lacey’s father.

    Last spring, Dick Vitale invited both Lacey and Payne to his annual Dick Vitale Gala to fight cancer in Sarasota, Florida. From there, Lacey’s last year on earth was quite a whirlwind, being featured on such shows as “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America.” Lacey also served as Payne’s escort on his Senior Night (even though Payne had to carry Lacey to the floor due to the pain she was suffering from) and was with the MSU center during the college slam-dunk contest preceding the 2014 National Championship game.

    “They communicate and hang out like a brother and sister. It’s a unique and special bond,” Matt Holsworth commented.

    While all of Payne’s actions during his senior year at Michigan State display the intense bond he held with Lacey, perhaps nothing speaks bigger about their relationship than the exchange the two had the day of Lacey’s first treatment following news her cancer had returned:

    “Laaaccceeey,” [Lacey’s mother] Heather whispered. “Adreian is here to see you. Laaaccceey, Adreian’s here.”

    After a few moments, Lacey rolled onto her back and opened her eyes. Sure enough, standing next to her bed was Payne, his 6’10” frame nearly stretching to the ceiling as he clutched the stuffed zebra he’d brought as a gift.

    Grinning, Lacey extended her arms as Payne bent down to embrace the girl he calls his “little sis.”

    “Superman!” she said. “You’re here.”

    Unfortunately for Lacey, even Superman had his limitations. However, there is still one way in which Payne feels that he can still keep fighting for Lacey – through basketball: ”The only thing you can do is play basketball. You can’t be there with them. Just knowing that when I play well, it makes her happy. It feels like I’m doing something, in a way, to make her feel better.”

    Image via Instagram

  • Lacey Holsworth’s Special Night At MSU Game

    The MSU-Iowa basketball game that was held on Thursday night was a special event for 8-year-old Lacey Holsworth.

    Holsworth suffers from a rather aggressive form of childhood cancer known as neuroblastoma. To combat the illness, her young body is daily exposed to radiation.

    Its for this reason that her family was grateful that she was able to be gifted a fun distraction. Holsworth spent the evening watching her favorite Michigan Spartan player and friend, Adreian Payne, playing his final game as a senior MSU student at the Breslin Center

    Matt Holsworth, Lacey’s father, shared his feelings about the unique opportunity for his daughter.

    “To see her get outside of that world and back into a normal life and to see her smile and see that joy on her face.. it makes every parent happy.”

    The connection to the Payne originated about two years ago, when he met Holsworth during a visit to St. Johns Hospital.

    Since then, the two have shared a special bond. Payne often spends time with her coloring and reading stories. They also keep in touch via tweets and texts, regularly encouraging each other.

    Lacey Holsworth said of Adreian Payne, “I like his smile and he’s a really nice friend.”

    Through the connection to the MSU basketball program, her family was able attend the Dick Vitale Gala last May. It is an event that meant to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research.

    The Holsworths were able to share a moment with Vitale when he stopped to take pictures with young Lacey and her family.

    Vitale, who was announcing the game on ESPN, spoke very highly of Holsworth, saying “She is one courageous young lady, her courage is unbelievable.”

    “She’s easy to fall in love with,” said Matt Holsworth, “With her bright smile and personality but it’s beyond what we could’ve ever imagined.”

    The family will next take part in the Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser next Money. Ten percent of all proceeds are expected to go to the “One Step Closer” Lacey fund, which will help pay the expenses of Lacey Holsworth’s ongoing cancer treatment.

    Image via YouTube