Legendary South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley may be busy with off-season moves and team practices, but on Wednesday, she took some time off for a special young fan. She was at the UVA Children’s Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, for seven-year-old Blakeleigh Thompson, who underwent her final cancer treatment that day, and she was there when young Blakeleigh rang her bell to mark the end of her cancer treatment.
“Great day! This moment I get to share with you is pretty special, pretty Godly-my friend Blakeleigh rang her bell today. She did it the same way she did her treatments-with a smile. She has touched me with her spirit so very deeply over the past 2 plus yrs. @aflac thank you! ❤️🙏🏾” wrote Staley on X.
Great day! This moment I get to share with you is pretty special, pretty Godly-my friend Blakeleigh rang her bell today. She did it the same way she did her treatments-with a smile. She has touched me with her spirit so very deeply over the past 2 plus yrs. @aflac thank you! ❤️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/EbqXg4HTfH
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 9, 2025
Staley was originally from UVA and had been in contact with the seven-year-old since 2023. The two have connected, even wearing necklaces she made with the child when they first met. She has become friends with her and her family ever since, with the South Carolina head coach often shouting out to her young fan.
During March Madness this year, Blakeleigh and her mother were present to cheer her team on and were even featured on camera. A year before that, Blakeleigh surprised her on ESPN, and this was when she gave Staley the necklace she usually wears.
Dawn Staley Talks About Her Own Health Problems
The story of Blakeleigh Thomas has touched the heart of Dawn Staley, who herself is experiencing her own health problems as she is suffering from a painful heart condition known as pericarditis.
As a former athlete herself, Staley has been keeping fit, often joining her players in team exercises. However, this causes her pain, and she spoke about it with the Cleveland Clinic.
“After experiencing pericarditis for 2 ½ years now, I know a lot of times it flares up because of my job and stress levels and how active I am,” she said. . “You have to rest for it to get better, but I’m not used to resting.”
Staley says she first experienced her heart pains from pericarditis during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she was serving as an assistant coach. The disease is caused by a viral infection and has to be treated with anti-inflammatory medicine immediately.
Related: An Anomaly’ – Dawn Staley Calls Caitlin Clark the Toughest Player She’s Coached Against
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