MISHAWAKA – On Saturday, January 31, before Bethel College’s 3 p.m. men’s basketball game against Spring Arbor, Bethel head coach Mike Lightfoot and the Pilots will be signing 8-year-old Brady Burkhart from Elkhart to a National Letter of Intent to join the men’s basketball program.

Brady’s college signing debut will take place at center court with his family and coach Lightfoot.

This official “Draft Day” has been facilitated by Boston-based nonprofit organization, Team IMPACT, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to graduation, attending practices, games and social events while forming unparalleled relationships with the student-athletes and coaching staffs.

Brady will have full access to the No. 7-ranked men’s basketball program including all pre-game activities and a seat right on the Bethel bench during Saturday’s game.

Brady’s Story

In the spring of 2010 Brady complained of bone pain where he underwent two separate –rays which both came back clear. It wasn’t until the end of April that his pediatrician ordered blood tests. Some of his levels were off, but they were going to wait three months before doing another set of tests. He didn’t make it that long as one Friday he woke up and could no longer walk due to the pain. Brady was again taken to the doctor in where his lab numbers had dropped. Thursday morning results came back as abnormal and he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – the most common type of blood cancer among children. He went into remission in 30 days, but due to having a type called “delayed responder” he needed 3.5 years rather than 2.5 years of treatment.

Brady’s family lived in the hospital for a week at a time when he had chemo treatments. He has had over 100 rounds of chemo, 23 spinal taps, and countless blood transfusions. This past October he got his port out. Currently he has blood tests monthly, does physical therapy to improve his lingering mobility issues, and is often tired.

Emotionally things have been difficult for the Burkhart family. They are trying to re-establish Brady because his young life has been nothing but sickness and hospitals.

Brady greatly fears that his mom (primary care taker) will die. He was put into counseling because he expressed just not wanting to do it anymore and wanted to meet Jesus. He gets tired easily but loves sports and loved going to basketball camp at Bethel College.