A Basketball Brotherhood Fortifies Teen During Cancer Journey

Bolton and his mother, Amy, at the Riley Hospital for Children.

When 15-year-old Bolton first began to feel sick while playing basketball, his family had no idea the journey that lay ahead. What started as difficulty breathing quickly escalated into a devastating diagnosis: cancer.

In 2022, the Indiana teenager was playing the sport he loves when he began struggling to catch his breath and feeling nauseated. His mom, Amy, took him to the hospital, and doctors started him on steroids. 

Bolton started feeling better, but a doctor noticed his labs were off. 

Bolton had a biopsy, which revealed his bone marrow was only functioning between 10-20%. He was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer that required intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, platelet transfusions three times a week, blood transfusions, and ultimately a bone marrow transplant.

Bolton and his family spent months traveling back and forth to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis from their home in Fort Wayne. Making the five-hour round trip journey three times a week was physically and emotionally exhausting. Bolton struggled with depression and anxiety as he worked through his diagnosis. Thankfully, Bolton’s care team at Riley supported him every step of the way, helping him and his family navigate some of their toughest days.

A powerful turn

Bolton signs with Purdue University Fort Wayne men's basketball team. 

A family friend introduced Bolton’s mom to Team IMPACT. She thought the program was exactly what her son needed: a team of older male role models who could boost his confidence, provide unwavering positivity and encouragement, and stand by him through the unknowns of his treatment. In June 2023, Bolton matched with the Purdue University Fort Wayne men’s basketball team, and his journey took a powerful turn.

A month later, Bolton celebrated his signing day with the Mastodons, immediately becoming an official — and vital — part of the team’s family. When his birthday rolled around, his teammates flooded him with messages of support. And when he learned he would need a bone marrow transplant, the team surrounded him with love, throwing him a well-wishes party, checking in constantly, and making sure he never felt alone.

Showing up when it matters

Amy says the experience was “nothing short of amazing,” calling it a true lifesaver for her son. And that bond goes both ways. Mastodon players and coaches always took the opportunity to share with Bolton and his family just how meaningful it was to walk alongside them through the highs and lows of his journey.

For the next few months, Bolton experienced medical challenges, but his relationship with his Purdue Fort Wayne family was a constant. Through every hardship, the team showed up. They were there. And they made sure Bolton knew it.

Watch a video of Bolton’s experience with Team IMPACT.

Even when treatment kept Bolton away from the Purdue Fort Wayne campus, the team found ways to show up. They made a list of activities to do with him once he was medically cleared to be back, and they eagerly started checking them off together.

From pool parties and cookouts with his family to countless hours spent on campus and on the court, Bolton’s relationship with the Mastodons became a source of strength, encouragement, and joy. Through every challenge, every hiccup, every milestone, every celebration, and every hardship, the team was there, cheering Bolton on and always welcoming him back with open arms.

Looking ahead

This summer, Bolton graduated from Team IMPACT as a confident, self-assured young man. Bolton moved through the program knowing he will forever be part of the Purdue Fort Wayne basketball family — and that they will always be part of the journey that shaped him into who he is today.

Bolton’s story with the Mastodons is a powerful example of how Team IMPACT’s partnership with the Children’s Hospital Association and our member hospitals can transform lives. Learn more about the outcomes of patients who partner with Team IMPACT and how your hospital can get involved.