Lucas: A Success Story

By Adam Lucas

Reece Holbrook only remembers the good times from hanging out with Dr. Stuart Gold.

He remembers the water gun fights, running around the hospital, and the laughter. He doesn't remember the spinal taps, the tears, and the chemo.

As part of ACC Baseball Cancer Awareness Week, the Diamond Heels will wear gold wristbands in today's game against Pittsburgh to recognize pediatric cancer awareness. And when Reece pulls on those gold accessories—the Heels split the first two games and go for the series win at 1 p.m.—he knows exactly what they mean.

The Carolina senior has been a Tar Heel all his life. He was born into the Carolina athletics family; dad Chad played baseball for the Heels and was a longtime assistant coach in Chapel Hill before becoming head coach at South Carolina and, now, at College of Charleston. Mom Jennifer was a key member of the basketball office staff during Roy Williams's coaching tenure.

Chad and Jennifer have two sons, Reece and Cooper, and both unsurprisingly eventually became college baseball players after spending their childhoods following their dad everywhere he went on a baseball field.

On Sept. 7, 2004, though, Reece's journey changed forever. That's when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblast leukemia. The following three years were filled with challenges—he may not remember the details of all the excruciating treatments at UNC Children's Hospital, but his parents do—and triumphs. The Carolina community rallied around Reece, creating a golf tournament that raised nearly $700,000 in four years in Chapel Hill for cancer research and was a springtime highlight of the Tar Heel sports calendar. By the time the event transitioned to Columbia, it raised a total well into the seven figures.

And while his parents marveled at his resiliency, Reece became a bit of a Chapel Hill celebrity. He helped break ground for the North Carolina Cancer Hospital, which opened in 2009 and has now served the people of North Carolina for over 15 years. At his golf tournament, which regularly featured luminaries like Dean Smith, Eric Montross, Roy Williams and Hubert Davis, the only attendee who posed for pictures with every foursome was Reece.

"The main things I remember from that time are all the examples when we had so much support," Reece says. "The Carolina family was such a big part of the golf tournament. I remember digging a hole at the hospital when it was being built. And I remember running around with Dr. Gold and laughing."

On those days with Dr. Gold, a pediatric oncologist, those who love Reece would have given anything to see him become a Carolina baseball player. It seemed extraordinarily far-fetched; the goals in those days were much simpler—like simply being able to watch him grow up.

He did much more than that. The redshirt junior has appeared in 62 games as a Tar Heel. He's on track to graduate. And today, for just a moment, he'll stop and think about his journey.

"I'm sure I will have a deeper sense of it later, and my parents have to remind me of that, too," he says. "I'm so focused on trying to have a good day at the plate or get in the lineup or how I can get it done as a player. My parents will remind me to have some perspective, and Coach Forbes always talks about having perspective as a whole. I do have some moments when I remember I've come a long way. I never want to be satisfied, but there are times when I remember the most important thing isn't always being the leadoff hitter or getting in the lineup every day."

"When you see Reece and all he has accomplished, it gives me an indescribable feeling," Dr. Gold says. "To watch him grow up and pursue his passion is what life is all about. That is our goal of treatment: not just to cure individuals of cancer but to give them a long, happy, healthy and productive life in which they are happy."

Through the heroic efforts of Dr. Gold and every person who contributed time or money to cancer research, the statistics have reversed. Successes are now more common than failures; Dr. Gold says over 80 percent of patients with ALL are now cured.

And after spending a lifetime in the fight, Reece has now taken on a new role. There was a time that others provided him with inspiration. Now, he's the successful Division I baseball player who always makes sure to spend a little extra time with families and kids beginning that same journey.

The Carolina baseball community outreach program is strong, so it's not unusual for them to spend a day with the Miracle League or have visitors from the Children's Hospital.

Reece frequently asks for a couple extra minutes when families visit the Diamond Heels with kids who are facing challenges. What does he tell them?

"Everything is going to be OK," he says. "You can accomplish your dreams. I tell the kids to keep their hope, and I tell the parents to allow the kid to be a kid and have all the dreams they want to have, because they can come true. You can overcome these obstacles and you can do some special things. It's entirely possible that you could be in the same spot I've grown up into."

"The best gift that can ever be given to me is watching our young folks grow up and be happy and successful, whatever that means to the individual," Dr. Gold says. "There truly is no greater joy in life. When I started in this business, we lost more children than we saved, and that reminds us that every survivor is a true gem and not to be taken lightly."

As part of ACC Baseball Cancer Awareness Week, the Diamond Heels are partnering with Shoes4Hope to auction hand-painted Nikes worn by the coaching staff. Fans can bid on the shoes or simply make a donation here.

Players Mentioned

Reece Holbrook

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