AUSTIN, Texas — Kaitlyn Bradley has spent much of her life playing volleyball.
- Bradley began cancer treatment at age 15
- She’s set to play college volleyball at TCU
- Teammates and students at other schools showing support
She plays for club teams in the off-season and for Round Rock during the high school season. It was during a game on September 20 that she started to feel bad and eventually came out of the game.
“I kind of felt off for some reason,” said Bradley. “It got to the point where I couldn’t bend over and pass the ball.”
Her parents were at the game and they eventually made the decision to take Kaitlyn to the emergency room. After some tests, doctors sent her immediately to Dell Children's Medical Center and they discovered a mass in her chest.
“They told me I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma,” says Bradley.
An active and healthy 15-year-old now had to immediately begin cancer treatment.
“It makes me tired and makes my bones hurt sometimes,” Bradley says.
She is currently in the second of four expected cycles of treatment. When she’s feeling ok, she’s been back at school and back around her teammates at Round Rock. Her teammates have also visited her in the hospital. They have provided support for Bradley and she has provided them with motivation.
“This is not about us anymore, this is about Kaitlyn and we need to do this for her,” said senior Kaylee Linton.
“I honestly think it’s part of the reason we can play so well,” said senior Nidhi Urs. “We have something to fight for and represent.”
The Dragons have won five of their last six games and will head into the playoffs next week with the ultimate inspiration to make a deep run. Round Rock hasn’t been the only team to show their support for Kaitlyn. Other schools in the area like Rouse and Westlake have held fundraisers for her during some of their matches. There is also a page set up for donations to help the family with costs.
As for Bradley, who is committed to play sand volleyball in college at Texas Christian University, she is ready for the fight and to make her return to the court.
“It just feels like a bump in the road, something I have to get over and it will get better,” Bradley says.