Princess Lacey Lives On
Shelby Golonka
April 16,2014
Michigan- Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year-old cancer patient known as "Princess Lacey" formed a bond with the Michigan State basketball team and star forward Adreian Payne, died late Tuesday.
Lacey Holsworth had neuroblastoma, a fetal-nerve cell cancer. She met Payne two years ago while she was in the hospital for a cancer treatment and struck an immediate bond with him. "She loved unconditionally and without hesitation," Matt Holsworth said. "Spreading her love and smile throughout the world. ... Please don't let her love and smile fade."
Back pain while dancing in 2011 led to the discovery of a football-sized tumor that had engulfed her kidney. After another tumor wrapped around her spine, her father had to carry her into a hospital on Dec. 28, 2011. She lost feeling below her belly button and couldn't walk on her own for several months, a long stretch that included the first of many visits from Adreian.
Lacey had been a huge supporter of Payne, and he reciprocated by becoming a close friend, visiting her at the hospital and inviting her to games."Words can't express how much I already miss Lacey," Payne said in a statement. "She is my sister, and will always be a part of my life. She taught me how to fight through everything with a smile on my face even when things were going wrong. I'm a better man because of her.”
April 16,2014
Michigan- Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year-old cancer patient known as "Princess Lacey" formed a bond with the Michigan State basketball team and star forward Adreian Payne, died late Tuesday.
Lacey Holsworth had neuroblastoma, a fetal-nerve cell cancer. She met Payne two years ago while she was in the hospital for a cancer treatment and struck an immediate bond with him. "She loved unconditionally and without hesitation," Matt Holsworth said. "Spreading her love and smile throughout the world. ... Please don't let her love and smile fade."
Back pain while dancing in 2011 led to the discovery of a football-sized tumor that had engulfed her kidney. After another tumor wrapped around her spine, her father had to carry her into a hospital on Dec. 28, 2011. She lost feeling below her belly button and couldn't walk on her own for several months, a long stretch that included the first of many visits from Adreian.
Lacey had been a huge supporter of Payne, and he reciprocated by becoming a close friend, visiting her at the hospital and inviting her to games."Words can't express how much I already miss Lacey," Payne said in a statement. "She is my sister, and will always be a part of my life. She taught me how to fight through everything with a smile on my face even when things were going wrong. I'm a better man because of her.”