ECAC Rallies Around Stony Brook's Kemp
By: Casey Gavin
By: Casey Gavin, Asa S. Bushnell Marketing & Communications Assistant
Danielle Kemp, a 19-year-old Division I student-athlete at Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) member institution Stony Brook University, has learned all too early that life can change in a blink of the eye.
In early July, Kemp was playing for the Stratford Brakettes, a high-level amateur softball team, when she was hit in the helmet with a pitch. She began experiencing balance problems, trouble focusing and dizziness, leading doctors to test her for a concussion.
Following the results Kemp was sent to Yale-New Haven Hospital for more tests where she was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an inoperable brain tumor located in the pons region of her brain.
Having previously beaten a rare form of kidney cancer, Kemp took the diagnosis in stride, stating on her Facebook page, "...I am in good spirits. I am a fighter and I have fought before."
Kemp soon began a six-week cycle of intensive radiation therapy treatment while her family quickly rallied behind her. Kemp's uncle, Bradley Taylor, set up a
GoFundMe page and a
Facebook group to help offset the medical expenses and provide updates throughout her journey.
Family, friends and even complete strangers posted messages and words of encouragement which Kemp's sister read to her every day throughout her treatment.
Through the radiation therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, Kemp slowly saw improvements. On Oct. 3, Kemp woke up with no double vision and said to her mother, "Mom, I can really see you!"
Days later, after exhausting physical therapy during her treatment, Kemp and her dad took a walk around their neighborhood for the first time since July.
The support Kemp is receiving extends much further than just their Milford, Connecticut community. Fallon Bevino, a childhood friend of Kemp, took Kemp's story to her softball team at Sacred Heart University and from there the story spread and the support came pouring in.
ECAC student-athletes across all three divisions quickly rallied around Kemp, purchasing "Danni Strong" bracelets, posting photos and videos with the hashtag #DanniStrong, making donations, hosting fundraising events and leaving comments all filled with well wishes for their fellow student-athlete.
Photo: Stony Brook Athletics
"I definitely don't feel like I am going through this alone," Kemp
said. "It's just really humbling to have all this support and I am so grateful for it."
"Our entire Stony Brook family is sending prayers of love and support to Danni and her family during this difficult time," said Stony Brook Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron. "Danni represents everything that is good about college athletics and has proven on the field and in the classroom, that she has the toughness to fight this battle with every ounce of energy she has. It is my sincere hope that Danni and her family feel the love that is being sent their way as we stand with them during this fight."
In addition to several ECAC member institutions' efforts to support Kemp, the Brakettes Softball club, Brooklyn Cyclones, and other student-athletes across the country have shown their support. The list of institutions and organizations is growing rapidly. Family, friends and strangers alike are all showing they are #DanniStrong through pictures and comments being shared on all forms of social media.
Click here to view a collection of #DanniStrong photos.
"We are touched by the numerous well-wishes we have received over recent weeks," said Megan Bryant, head softball coach at Stony Brook University. "The outpouring of support, love and compassion from everyone for Danni, her family and our team has been unbelievable. Danni is an outstanding young woman, respected teammate and loved member of our family. We will do everything in our power to make sure that Danni and her family do not have to fight this battle alone."
Multiple legends in the softball community have reached out as well. Sue Enquist, a Hall of Fame player and coach, reached out with a contribution to Kemp's GoFundMe page. Two-time Olympic medalist Jennie Finch Daigle also took time to show support with a donation and a personalized message of encouragement for Kemp.
While support has been far-reaching, recognition for Kemp's fearless battle with cancer has come closer to home as well. On Oct. 17, Kemp was honored as this year's recipient of the Chelsea Cohen Courage Award. The Fairfield County Sports Commission created this award in 2006 to recognize a person in the sports community who has shown inspirational strength in battling life-altering obstacles.
The next step in Kemp's journey will begin Nov. 4 when she will travel to Germany to participate in a clinical trial. She will continue through a treatment cycle until her doctors are confident with her results.
You too can show you're #DanniStrong by leaving a message of support in the Facebook group
Danni Kemp Cancer Support Group or by contributing to Kemp's
GoFundMe page.
Bracelets supporting Kemp may also be purchased via the Facebook group by contacting Bradley Taylor.
A special shout out to the ECAC member institutions supporting Kemp!
Boston College
Bryant University
Central Connecticut State University
Curry College
Fairfield University
Iona College
Le Moyne College
Manhattan College
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University
Seton Hall University
Springfield College
University of Maine
University of Maryland - Baltimore County
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
ABOUT THE ECAC
In the 77 years since its inception, the ECAC has emerged as the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In 2015-16, the ECAC hosted nearly 100 championships in men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit
www.ecacsports.com.
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