Tonight’s game is about more than wins and losses for a Hawkeye family from Carroll. Tough story to tell here, but Bailey was just given a couple months to live this past week. They had their previous Make A Wish cancelled as she wouldn’t be strong enough to make the trip. The Aces made this happen for Bailey. Private flight to Vegas, tickets to the game and access to practice.
Sorry to anyone who might know the Lux family better than I do, if I get some of these details wrong. I met Bailey’s Dad, Kraig, through a mutual friend in late February of this year. His daughter, Bailey (14) was diagnosed with cancer first. Sarcoma. She started treatments and spent a lot of time back and forth to Iowa City. December 2022, Bailey was in remission. Shortly after being declared cancer free, Kraig’s wife, Bailey’s Mom, is also diagnosed with Sarcoma. Unfortunately, the cancer spread quickly and she lost her battle in Jan of ‘24. Approximately 30 days later, back to IC for more scans for Bailey. Cancer is back. Over the next few weeks the news got worse. Much worse for Bailey.
During her stays in Iowa City, Bailey became close to to Iowa women’s basketball team through their connection to ICH. She’s Caitlyn and Kate’s biggest fan. But, CC and Kate might also be Bailey’s biggest fan too. They text or message daily. Coach Bluder and the Iowa Athletic Department made it possible for Bailey and her family to have access to the team whenever possible, even through their amazing run to the NC game. The daily flow of texts and instant messages filled with love and inspiration never stopped.
Hard to not have tears in my eyes while typing for Bailey, Kraig and their family. They just had their oldest daughter graduate from Morningside and their son will be a senior at Carroll Kuemper this fall.
Again, my apologies to anyone close to the Lux’s if I got any details wrong or if anyone feels that I shouldn’t be sharing this. My heart goes out to the Lux family, with whom I’ve never met, except Kraig. I can’t imagine going through what they have all been through the last couple of years.