When 15-year-old Bolton, from Fort Wayne, IN, first began to feel sick while playing basketball, his family had no idea the journey that lay ahead. What started as trouble catching his breath quickly escalated into a devastating diagnosis: cancer.
In 2022, Bolton was playing the sport he loves when he began struggling to catch his breath and was feeling nauseous. His mom took him to the hospital, and it wasn’t long before Bolton’s skin turned yellowish and he began having liver issues. His doctors started him on steroids, and he soon started to feel better. A week later, a doctor noticed his labs were off, and they began to monitor him more closely. A few days after that, Bolton was sent for a bone marrow biopsy, which revealed his bone marrow was only functioning at about 10-20%. He was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer that required intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, platelet transfusions three times a week, blood transfusions as needed, and a likely bone marrow transplant in the near future.
Bolton and his family spent months traveling back and forth to Riley Hospital for Children—two and a half hours each way, three times a week. It was exhausting physically and emotionally, and Bolton struggled with depression and anxiety as he worked through his diagnosis. Thankfully, his care team at Riley, including his social worker Claire, supported him every step of the way. Riley Hospital for Children is a proud member of the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), one of Team IMPACT’s hospital partners dedicated to helping kids like Bolton and families like his navigate some of their toughest days.
It was through a family friend who works in oncology that Bolton’s mom, Amy, first learned about Team IMPACT. She thought the program sounded like exactly what her son needed: a team of older male role models who could boost his confidence, bring unwavering positivity and encouragement, and stand by him through the unknowns of his treatment. In June 2023, Bolton was officially matched with the Purdue University–Fort Wayne men’s basketball team, and his journey took a powerful turn.
A month later, Bolton celebrated his Signing Day with the Mastodons, immediately becoming an official—and vital—part of the team’s family. When his birthday rolled around soon after, his new teammates flooded him with messages of support. And when he learned he would need a bone marrow transplant, the team surrounded him with love, throwing him a well-wishes party, checking in constantly, and making sure he never felt alone.
Amy describes the experience as “nothing short of amazing,” calling it a true lifesaver for her son. And that bond goes both ways. Coach and the team always took the opportunity to share with Bolton and his family just how meaningful it has been to walk alongside them through the highs and lows of his journey.
For the next few months, Bolton experienced some challenges around his diagnosis. But one of his constants with his relationship with his Purdue Fort Wayne family. Through every hardship, the team showed up. They were there. And they made sure Bolton knew it.
Even when treatment kept Bolton away from campus, the team found ways to show up. They made a list of activities to do with him when he returned—and once he was cleared to be back, they eagerly started checking them off together. From pool parties and BBQs with his family to countless hours spent on campus and on the court, Bolton’s relationship with the Mastodons became a constant source of strength, encouragement, and joy. Through every challenge, every hiccup, every milestone, every celebration, and every hardship, the team was there, cheering Bolton on and always welcoming him back with open arms.
This summer, Bolton graduated from Team IMPACT as the confident, self-assured young man his family hoped he would become when he received this devastating diagnosis years ago. Surrounded by teammates who cheered him on through every setback and milestone, Bolton moved through the program knowing he will forever be part of the Purdue Fort Wayne basketball family—and that they will always be part of the journey that shaped him into who he is today.
Bolton’s story with the Mastodons is a powerful example of how Team IMPACT’s partnership with the Children’s Hospital Association and its member hospitals can transform lives. With the support of Riley Hospital for Children, his family, and his team, Bolton gained so much more than medical care—he gained lifelong teammates, endless encouragement, and the knowledge that he will never walk alone.
