Brian Hanni

New Jayhawk Network tradition we launched this week... We’ll dedicate each broadcast to a different KU fan fighting cancer. We’ll have their name on our headsets & their story in our hearts. @ me if you have a friend you’d like to feature. God bless, stay strong and Rock Chalk!

Today’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Isabella “Izzy” Grippando, a 14-year-old from Kansas City, KS currently battling metastatic neuroblastoma.
 
This courageous young lady received her diagnosis shortly after her 14th birthday and immediately went to work to fend off this dreadful disease. Izzy has already completed 3 of her 5 rounds of chemotherapy and 2 days of stem cell harvesting. Round 4 begins in two weeks, and scans at the end of November will show how much the tumors have shrunk. Next month she’ll have surgery to remove any remaining tumors, followed by her final round of chemotherapy. Izzy will then spend 3 months in the hospital for stem cell transplants, with radiation still to come.
 
According to her family, through every surgery, hospitalization, and doctor visit, Izzy has stayed strong and brave. She keeps a smile on her face, looks for light in every moment, and remains her bubbly, outgoing self, always making everyone around her happy. Izzy is a huge animal lover and has started collecting Fahlo bracelets, which let you track a real animal in the wild. To pass the time during inpatient stays and chemotherapy, she has picked up crafting, coloring, diamond dotting, and Legos.
 
It’s going to be a challenging few months ahead, but Izzy is a warrior and she’s got all of Jayhawk Nation cheering her on. Today’s call is for you, Izzy! 💙❤️

Tonight’s #KUCancerFighter tribute celebrates the life of Tom Woolsey, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 71 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.
 
This loving husband and father was born in Newton, KS and played football at Hutchinson Community College in the late 1970’s. He and his wife Cheri lived in Lawrence for 15 years. He had a distinguished career as an investment banker but another passion – researching the history of basketball – led to a side business that many of you may know him from.
 
Tom created “Basketball Echoes” after the church he was attending in Lawrence acquired the original Robinson Gymnasium floor that Dr. Naismith coached on when he first arrived at Kansas. Tom’s company produced plaques that contained a piece of the flooring and replicas of Dr. Naismith’s original rules. When Tom eventually retired, he gave the rest of the flooring to a local charity to help pediatric cancer patients – a prime example of Tom’s huge heart for helping others.
 
Tom certainly loved his Jayhawks and proudly saw his daughter graduate from KU in 2012. His son and wife went to Baylor though, and Cheri is a professor in the BU business school now, so Tom supported both Big 12 teams over his exceptional life. Baylor is honoring Tom tonight as well. His impact touched people in both communities and both basketball fan bases.
 
His daughter Ashley wrote this of her dad, “He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend. His faith, family, and friendships were at the center of his life. He was known for his quick wit, phrases we called Tom-isms, strong opinions, loyalty, and appreciation for good conversation, fine wine, and bringing people together.”
 
Woolsey Family, we dedicate tonight’s broadcast to Tom’s memory and the wonderful legacy he left behind. You’ll be sorely missed, brother but never forgotten!
💙❤️

Tonight’s #KUCancerFighter hero is Murphi Coffman, a 18-month-old from Marshfield, MO who recently completed treatment after battling a bilateral Wilms tumor for 189 days.

This precious little lady got to officially ring the bell last month on October 13th, wowing her family and doctors with the toughness she displayed. To quote her mother Allie, “There are no words to describe what it’s like to watch your baby fight for her life. The experience changed our family and our hearts forever, and we will always be in awe of our unstoppable little girl!”

The Coffman family made numerous trips back and forth to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City and Murphi is currently on a maintenance med as she prepares for hip surgery in January where doctors will reconstruct her left rip and remove part of her femur. The family’s hope is that Murphi can soon but all this behind her and that the surgery will allow her leg to grow normally and she can get back to being a regular kid.
Coffman Family, we salute you and sweet Murphi, we celebrate your big victory over cancer. Congratulations! Tonight’s call is for you! 💙❤️

Today’s #KUCancerFighter tribute celebrates cancer survivor Grit Henderson, a 9-year-old from Lawrence, who is living his best life after a cancer battle of 5+ years.
 
For exactly 1,922 days this little warrior bravely battled embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare soft tissue tumor that grew in his bladder and prostate and later spread to his lungs.
 
The son of a football coach, young Grit lived up to his given name showing toughness and determination that turned doctors’ heads from Kansas to Tennessee where he completed his treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
 
At his most recent checkup in July, the doctors described Grit as a miracle and should things continue to trend this way, he’ll officially be in remission by next Summer. The St. Jude team has been so impressed with this heroic young man that they’ve invited him and his family back as guests of honor next month in Nashville for their annual fundraiser. The Henderson’s will get to tell their success over cancer story as inspiration to other’s in the fight and with the hopes of raising even more money for pediatric cancer research.
 
But before Grit gets to wow more folks in Tennessee, he first gets to suit up and go for the Toy Bowl championship tomorrow in Lawrence, as a member of the Lawrence Saints. He’s an outside linebacker & center, beloved by his teammates, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Devin Neal and Calvin Clements and play for the Jayhawks one day.
 
Grit, you’re an absolute stud! We are so proud of you and celebrate you and your incredible family as you continue to kick cancer and inspire other children in the fight! 💙❤️