NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion women’s basketball coach Karen Barefoot introduced five-year-old Sage Baker as the Lady Monarchs' newest team member this week. Barefoot introduced Baker to a contingent of ODU women’s basketball fans at the exhibition against Davis & Elkins and presented Baker with a signed basketball, as well as other assorted gifts and ODU memorabilia.
Baker, of nearby Portsmouth, Virginia, comes to the Lady Monarchs through Team IMPACT, a national non-profit organization that matches children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses to college athletics teams. The relationship is designed to give the children and their families a support system that will improve quality of life during treatment and beyond.
"Sage is great addition to our program and I can tell she is the heart and the soul behind our program," said Barefoot. "She is exremely enthusiastic and brings energy to our team. Sage is already a huge influence and inspiration to us all!"
Baker was 6-months-old when she was diagnosed with acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage (also called biphenotypic leukemia), a rare form of cancer. She went through 6 months of chemotherapy and had a stem cell transplant in December of 2010. However, her liver began to fail in 2014 and she was put on the transplant list. In June of 2015 she underwent a liver transplant and is doing well, but requires frequent check-ups. She is now five-years-old and in remission. Sage truly epitomizes what it means to be a fighter and is an inspiration to her new teammates.
“I am happy to have Sage as a part of our team,"added teammate Rhaven Kemp "Because of her strength and courage, I know that no matter what obstacle life brings us we are truly blessed to be alive. She is truly an amazing person and we know that we've met a strong and courageous little girl!”
Baker will be a member of the team and will be present during games, throughout this season, and in the future. The Lady Monarchs are happy to officially make her part of the ODU Women’s Basketball Team through Team IMPACT.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 700 children with collegiate teams at over 300 institutions in 43 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 20,000 student athletes. Team IMPACT is actively looking for more children to participate in the program. The organization seeks additional children, aged 5-15, who could use a social or psychological boost and would benefit from the support and camaraderie that comes from being a part of a team. Additional information is available at www.GoTeamIMPACT.org.