Lauren Villemure

The National Anthem ended; the team and I ran back to the bench, our coach handed each of us two little purple basketballs. Although the basketballs may seem like toys, they are so much more. They are trophies. A symbol of strength. A small representation of a difficult time.
Purple Power games are not just normal games. The athletes participating are sponsored by people or groups to help raise money for cancer research and awareness. These people who sponsor the athletes are able to pick what name they would like to honor on the back of their jersey. Many of these athletes decide to sponsor their own jersey and decide to put the name of a family member or a loved one on the back.
At the beginning of the game, each player is given two basketballs that represent each half of the game. The player is then able to give the basketball to the person who sponsored them or into the student section. For the athletes who have picked the name on the back of their jerseys, not only does the game mean a little more to them but so does the little purple basketball.
I listened to the announcer call out my teammates numbers and who they were playing for, I looked over in the bleachers and locked eyes with my grandma. She looked at me with a heartwarming smile and immediately a tear fell from my eyes.
“Number 30, Brooke Villemure is playing the whole game in honor of grandma Wagner.” It was my turn, finally. I ran straight to my grandma, handed her the purple basketball, and wrapped my arms around her. My grandma hugged me and immediately I felt a wave of relief that everything she was going through was going to be okay.
My grandma, Sharon Wagner, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in July 2023. For five months, she had surgery, twenty-eight radiation treatments, and five rounds of chemotherapy, ending with her final round on March 5, 2023. After multiple treatments and procedures, my grandma continued with monthly check ups.
In June of 2024, she continued with her monthly check up and the doctor told her some exciting news. She had beat cancer. This was great news for not only my grandma, but the whole family was excited. When she had told me the news the thought of her giving me a hug and the wave of relief I felt at my Purple Power game came to mind. Everything did turn out okay.
Since cancer, my grandma has continued to be an inspiration to me and the rest of my family. She has kept a positive attitude throughout her whole battle no matter how challenging it’s been for her and the family.
To this day, every time I catch a glimpse of that little purple basketball at my grandma’s house, I know that the game not only meant a lot to me but also to her. I am honored I got to represent my grandma, and to bring some light into those very emotional times.
Purple Power games give the athlete’s something to look forward to, whether they are playing for someone in the bleachers or someone smiling up above. They not only get to play for themselves and the team, but they get to play in that person’s honor.