Caitlin Clark has combined forces with the Make-a-Wish foundation to snag tickets for a huge fan of hers who has cancer for the Indiana Fever’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.
The 22-year-old WNBA star met up with 14-year-old Bailey Lux from Carroll, Iowa, to sign her ball and family’s apparel after the adolescent had been accommodated to travel to Sin City on a private jet from their hometown of 10,321 people, according to the Indy Star.
Bailey, who’s been a lifelong Hawkeyes fan and previously encountered Clark while receiving treatment, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma, also known as ‘malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor,’ in September 2022.
She was declared cancer free in February 2023 and linked up with Clark and her ex-Iowa teammate, Kate Martin, who Bailey also knows well, before her cancer returned in March on the same day that the Hawkeyes were playing in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.
And despite Bailey attending that game, as well, her condition has deteriorated over the last few months, to the point that she stopped chemotherapy and other forms of treatment.
‘She informed me recently that, you know, it’s not looking good, and that they’re stopping chemo and other treatments,’ Martin told the Indy Star. ‘So, I asked her for her dad’s phone number and asked if I could help in any type of way to get them to this game, because I knew Bailey is the biggest fan ever. Like I’ve never met a greater fan than her. She just got the biggest heart and she’s so wonderful.’
After showing up at the Aces’ T-Mobile Arena, Bailey spoke with head coach Becky Hammon and several players, and received an inscribed basketball from the team. She attended the Fever’s the following day, received a personalized jersey and another signed basketball, before being accommodated with courtside seats for the game against the Fever.
For the contest, Bailey wore a jersey that read ‘Fever 22’ on the front, paying tribute to Clark, and ‘Aces 20’ on the back for Martin.
‘(Bailey’s cancer) is in one of those incurable situations where every day we try and make things as exceptional as possible,’ Kraig told the Indy Star while on the verge of tears.
‘And gosh, what an experience. These two girls, Caitlin and Kate, have been such great individuals and role models for her, and since it’s begun she has been nothing but smiles.’
According to the outlet, Clark and Martin’s plot to fly out the Lux family was done less than a week ago.
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