For 13-year-old Colin, his life has been shaped by resilience.
Since he was five years old, Colin has faced leukemia. Years of treatment, hospital stays, setbacks, and uncertainty have become a part of his everyday life. When he was matched with the University of Virginia’s men’s tennis team in 2023, he gained both teammates and lifelong friends.
At the center of that was Stef.
Stef was going through his own set of challenges this past season as well, redshirting due to an injury. While it would have been understandable for him to take a step back and focus on his recovery, Colin’s parents noted that he instead leaned into the match and made a huge impact on Colin’s life.
What set Stef apart for Colin was his resilience. No matter how many times Colin was forced to change a plan due to treatment, hospital visits, and the unpredictability that comes with leukemia, Stef always was ready to adapt. Stef made sure to meet Colin and his family where they were, whether it was organizing activities for them, or coming to visit Colin at his home where he feels safest, Stef created opportunities rather than waited for them.
“Stef truly cares,” Colin’s family shared. “He coordinates meetups where the team practices as well as at our home. He makes sure to check in on Colin, and since Colin relapsed, he checks in separately with me to see how is doing medically and when he may need more support. He goes above and beyond when he is carrying a heavy course load too. We deeply appreciate him and how much he makes Colin feel normal.”
Sometimes, the greatest acts of friendship happen quietly.
They’re found in the messages asking how treatment went, the extra effort to plan a visit, or the commitment to simply keep showing up. Even when life is busy.
For Colin, those moments have made an impact that extends far beyond the tennis court. During a recent conversation, Colin shared that being a part of the team has made him feel less anxious about his treatment.
“This was not prompted by us,” his family shared. “But it is true, and we have seen it with this last relapse. He handled adversity better, medical errors, blood draws, readmissions, and everything a little better. It means a lot that he attributes this to the team, as his lower anxiety level has made the last six months a lot easier for all of us.”
Friendship can’t take away cancer, but it can lessen fear. It can replace isolation with a sense of belonging; it can create a bond that rivals one like a family. Colin walks into treatment knowing that he has a family that cares about him, and that family is at the University of Virginia.
At Team IMPACT, friendship isn’t measured by wins and losses. It’s measured by every text, every visit, every game played together, and every moment someone chooses to show up. The strongest teammates aren’t defined by the time they spend competing; they’re defined by the way they care for one another through life’s toughest moments.
For Colin, that victory extends far beyond the court.
