Warner Pacific College has chosen 10 year old Lexy delos Reyes as the newest member of the Knights’ Women’s Basketball Team. Lexy has been battling cancer since she was 14 months old and was drafted through a partnership with Team IMPACT, a nonprofit organization that matches children who are facing serious illnesses with college athletic teams in order to “inspire, motivate, and play against challenges together.”
Since her initial diagnosis at two months old, Lexy has undergone multiple brain surgeries and countless procedures in her fight against brain cancer. While she was receiving treatments on the east coast, Team IMPACT shared her story with Warner Pacific Director of Athletics, Jamie Joss. Upon Lexy’s return to Portland, the Knights chose to draft Lexy to the Women’s Basketball team based on her determination, perseverance, and her positive attitude when facing challenges.
“The entire team is crazy about Lexy and very excited to be representatives of Team IMPACT,” said Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Matt Gregg. “It’s important for our team to gain the perspective this opportunity provides and know that the troubles they might see as insurmountable are actually brief. What Lexy has gone through has been life long, and she continues to smile and be outgoing, even while facing life threatening medical problems; she is what being a true competitor is all about.”
Lexy was drafted during a special ceremony held at Warner Pacific in which the students, staff and faculty welcomed her to the team with pompoms, cheers, and her own Knights jersey. As a new recruit, Lexy will provide encouragement at practices and support to the Women’s Basketball team at home games.
“Lexy has been such an inspiration to our team,” said senior, Ali Campbell. “She’s the most positive, happy little girl I’ve ever met and we feel so blessed and thankful that she can be a part of our and team and our lives.”
A video of Lexy’s draft day with the Warner Pacific Knights is available on the Knights’ YouTube page. To show your support for Lexy delos Reyes, visit www.facebook.com/Love4Lexy.
Team IMPACT’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses by establishing and expanding vibrant team-based support networks. They endeavor to continually encourage a wide range of team-based organizations to open up their ranks and extend their laughter, strength and support for children facing these adverse issues, and events. In doing so, the team joins the child’s support team, supporting the child in his or her medical journey and beyond. Learn more at teamimpact.org.