Bellamy Korn declined to make a comment during the first press conference of her young life.
The 6-year-old from Timnath gave enough cute smiles and hugs and caused enough watery eyes, however, to overpower her shyness and deliver the message that this was, indeed, a special moment for her, the Korn family and the Colorado women’s basketball team.
On Wednesday, Bellamy, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year, became the newest member of the team. In working with Team IMPACT, a non-profit that matches children with serious illnesses and disabilities with college athletics programs, CU signed Bellamy to a “letter of intent” and presented her with a jersey.
“We are so excited to be adding Bellamy to our basketball family,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “For the impact that we might have on Bellamy and her family, your impact is far greater on us. For all of us, we get in this cycle of college basketball and athletics where we’re just working every day. We’re just working and it’s all so serious and hard and challenging and we keep going.
“Bringing Bellamy into our lives, I think for all of us, has given us an opportunity to reflect on what matters most and that’s being able to share life with each other and the beautiful people around us.”
Payne joked that they haven’t figured out what position the 3-foot-6 Bellamy would play, but, “One thing that we know is that Bellamy will be the toughest little lady out there on the court and in our locker room and in our huddles and everything that we do.”
Bellamy was diagnosed with leukemia in March. Treatment has led to her often missing school, as well as opportunities to see her friends. Her mother, Sarah, said the journey has been “horrible and I hope no one in this room ever has to go through it.”
That journey has led the Korn family to the Buffs, however, and great connections with those on the team. Bellamy and her family first met the Buffs about a month ago and it was an instant bond between the family and the players, coaches and staff.
“That’s a testament to this team and what they’re about,” Sarah said. “They’re about helping other people, supporting people. We came in (during) the middle of your season. You could have said, ‘No let’s wait until after our season,’ but you guys took us on right away and it’s just been such a beautiful thing for all of us.”
Through tears that Sarah knew would be considered “cringe” by her children, she spoke of the pride she had not only in Bellamy’s brave battle, but in how her sons, Caden, 13, and 10-year-old twins Asher and Bode, have handled the challenges of the past year.
“Cancer siblings, it’s horribly difficult on them,” Sarah said. “The things that they’ve had to deal with and endure over the last year, they’ve done such a beautiful job supporting their sister and each other and the whole situation. Obviously Bellamy has shown us such bravery. She has been kind this whole time to people. She aims to inspire other people. She aims to change childhood cancer and make it a better space for other kids and other families. … I’m so proud of all of my kids.”
To the boys’ credit, they smiled and seemed to enjoy the moment as much as their mother and sister. It was a moment the players enjoyed, as well. The entire CU staff and team were on hand for the press conference and ceremony, as well as a dinner with the family afterward.
Senior center Charlotte Whittaker, one of the IMPACT team ambassadors, along with Frida Formann, Maddie Nolan and Kindyll Wetta, said the day was “a truly special moment as we welcome an extraordinary young girl into our basketball family.”
Sarah said Bellamy’s diagnosis has changed the family in “a million different ways,” but that connecting with the Buffs has been a pure joy.
“This team is life changing for us,” she said.
Meeting Bellamy has been life changing for the Buffs, too, as many sat with teary eyes during the ceremony.
“In our few interactions with Bellamy, we’ve been deeply inspired by her unwavering bravery and contagious positivity,” Whittaker said. “Her resilience in the face of adversity has taught us invaluable lessons about strength and determination. Every moment spent together on and off the court has reaffirmed the power of love, unity and the incredible impact we can have on each other’s lives.”
