Caitlin Clark has teamed up with the Make-a-Wish organization to obtain tickets for the Indiana Fever’s game versus the Las Vegas Aces on behalf of a dear friend who is battling cancer.
The 14-year-old Bailey Lux from Carroll, Iowa, was arranged to fly to Sin City on a private plane from her hamlet of 10,321 people, and the 22-year-old WNBA star met her to autograph her ball and family’s clothing, according to the Indianapolis Star.
In September 2022, Bailey—a lifetime Hawkeyes supporter who had previously interacted with Clark while undergoing treatment—was given a rare and dangerous sarcoma diagnosis, which is also referred to as a “malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.”
When her illness returned in March of 2023, the same day the Hawkeyes were playing in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, she was declared cancer-free in February of that year and connected with Clark and her former Iowa teammate, Kate Martin, whom Bailey also knew well.
Bailey also attended the game, but during the past few months, her condition has gotten worse to the point that she stopped receiving chemotherapy and other treatments.
Martin told the Indianapolis Star, “She recently told me that, you know, it’s not looking good and that they’re stopping chemo and other treatments.” Since Bailey is the biggest fan ever, I asked her for her dad’s phone number and asked if I could help in any way to get them to the game. As if she were the biggest admirer I’ve ever met. She is amazing and has the biggest heart.
Bailey met with head coach Becky Hammon and a few players at the Aces’ T-Mobile Arena after making an appearance, and he was given a signed basketball by the group. The next day, she went to the Fever’s and was given a customized jersey and another autographed basketball. She was also given courtside seats for the Fever’s game.
Bailey wore a jersey for the competition that said “Aces 20” on the back in honor of Martin and “Fever 22” on the front in remembrance of Clark.
Tearful, Kraig told the Indy Star, “(Bailey’s cancer) is in one of those incurable states where every day we try and make things as special as possible.”
And wow, what a journey. Since it began, she has only smiled, and these two girls, Caitlin and Kate, have been such wonderful people and role models for her.
The site claims that less than a week ago, Clark and Martin finalized their plan to fly out the Lux family.