Ive seen his strength since Day One, Jackie Hardy said. A session of chemo starts with blood work before he gets situated in a pod where he spends the day. His distraction that day was WashU baseballs trip to the College World Series. Work continues to find other treatments for Hardy, should they be necessary. He got to the point where he was doing the same exercises as his teammates, and a month later, teammate David Windley looked over to see Hardy outlifting him. Hardy first received the devastating stage 4 cancer diagnosis back in April 2021. In the Bible Jesus stated, in the book of John, John 14:6, I am the way, the truth and the life. Justin Hardy, who continued to play basketball for Washington University in St. Louis despite a stomach cancer diagnosis, passed away on Sunday. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. To encourage support for the fund, the donor has committed another $500,000 to match tribute gifts made by others. "This is me living my life regardless of the circumstances.". He stated that he took that to heart and thought it was one of the reasons he was able to do all he did. 4 in the country.. To respond to even the toughest of circumstances with the strength and courage that Justin did. He was the 2018 Kane County Chronicle Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. School, Executive MBA and Professional Development. "And there wasn't going . He then balanced his last semester of school with treatment, in the doctors office every Monday and then back on the court on Wednesdays with two days of practice before weekend games. Early rounds of chemotherapy left Hardy sapped. The remarkable Justin Hardy who inspired all those who knew him and his courageous story passed away today, his family says. 3 Bears early-season, 13-game winning streak. He recovered from 50 pounds of weight loss to play college basketball. He needed to be careful. All rights reserved. We feel Justins presence all of the time, Juckem said. Until he missed Fridays game at Emory University. Hes relentlessly supportive of his friends in their successes like his former roommate Caleb Durbin getting drafted for Major League Baseballs Atlanta Braves while also supporting them in their struggles. The seven days of isolation that followed were nothing compared to his 10-month journey with stage 4 stomach cancer, a diagnosis he received last spring after suffering abdominal pains that led to the ER trip. "I can't control the spread of cancer inside of me, that portion is going to do what it does," he said. Someone said, Positivity kills cancer. I dont feel happy with the situation, but I do with where I am in life.. Hardy was the school's second leading scorer in the Division III NCAA tournament. Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. In April, Hardy was surrounded by his teammates when he received the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Perry Wallace Most Courageous Award in New Orleans. He finished his collegiate career with 387 receptions, the most of any wide receiver in NCAA history at the time. Diagnosed in April 2021, Justin Hardy graduated in December and recovered from 50 pounds of weight loss to play college basketball. Your email address will not be published. Hardy played at Washington University in St. Louis, an NCAA Division III institution, and worked toward a double-major in accounting and finance while undergoing treatments for Stage 4 cancer. Required fields are marked *, Solve the equation: *
The community also came together to donate more than $100,000 to Hardys GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses and launch the HardyStrong Scholarship. Against Dubuque, he scored 28 points, matching his career high from freshman year. Over the Zoom screen, Hardy paused as he thought about it. I dont know how else to describe him.. The 22-year-old college basketball player from St. Charles, Illinois, who passed away . I find it fascinating and scary at the same time, she said. (Photo: Danny Reise/Washington University), Your email address will not be published. But what changed me in so many ways was everything he did off the court. He was 22. Justin Hardy directs traffic during a recent game against New York University (Photo by Curran Neenan / Student Life). The funds will be used for medical and memorial expenses, with the majority put towards the HardyStrong Scholarship - a fund for high school graduates competing athletically in college who share Justin's grit, determination, and all-around excellence.". There was a problem saving your notification. Mizzou (22-8, 10-7 Southeastern Conference) didn't take its first lead until 97 seconds were left in the game but with the victory stayed alive for a top-four seed in next week's SEC . He followed through with an internship last summer while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Justin Hardy was born in in December 18, 1991. Its hysterical to me that I have missed more games due to COVID than cancer, Hardy said. He then receives a sequence of three chemotherapies that take from one to three hours each. He knows the facts but remains positive and is pretty much doing everything right.. Washington University basketball star Justin Hardy died on Sunday, just months after helping lead his team to the post-season while playing with stage 4 stomach cancer. In February, Hardy was featured on ESPNs College GameDay, where he spoke candidly about moving forward despite his terminal diagnosis. There were some emotional moments when he got that diagnosis, but Ive never questioned his hope, determination or resiliency.. "After 13 months of. Diane Toroian Keaggy wrote this article for The Source. This is me living my life regardless of the circumstances, Hardy said at the time. Diagnosed in April 2021, Hardy completed a summer internship, tutored students in the fall, graduated in December a semester early and recovered from 22 kilos of weight loss to play college basketball. He worried the attention would add further pain for his family and closest friends. RIP JH. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum. It just took my breath away, it was so unbelievable, said Kally Wendler, one of Hardys closest friends. Then he broke the news of his diagnosis to his closest friends on the team over Facetime. Visitation and celebration events will be Thursday and Friday this week. We were slow to start and the second half we were still feeling a little slow." Hardy, a 6-foot-5 forward, scored a game-high 22 points and dunked twice on alley-oop passes from guard Zach Mitchell. Read more stories from Olin Business School. At some point I had to come to terms, Hardy told Stu Durando, basketball reporter for theSt. Louis Post-Dispatch. The family will host a visitation from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at Yurs Funeral Home in Geneva, Ill., and a legacy celebration at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, at St. Charles East High School. The book tackles Stause's childhood and journey into Hollywood, but she knows her love life is one of the topics that readers will be most intrigued by. No matter what was happening on the scoreboard and we had plenty of success we felt like every day was a win because we were in it together.. Hed come back from injuries and maxed out reps enough to know the tiredness that comes from pushing his body to its limits. Right now, Hardy can only look ahead two weeks at a time, and its driving him crazy. Hardy also was a leader in three-pointers and free throws. Hardy has stage four stomach cancer and is the second leading scorer for the team. Hardy underwent surgery last summer and recovered well to start the basketball season in November. He learned last spring that he had Stage 4 stomach cancer, a devastating and rare diagnosis for someone so young. He majored in accounting and finance, which means that he cant ignore the odds that were given to him. Teammate and close friend Jack Nolan certainly has been. "The sadness was really tough at first just because I felt my life was kind of closing in on me," Hardy said. God bless you and keep going. All Rights Reserved. As we grieve alongside the Hardy family, we also thank them for the gifts that Justin brought to his teammates and friends at WashU. Sometimes you see patients who are unrealistically positive. ST. LOUIS The Washington University basketball player who inspired people all around the country during his fight against cancer, has died. Did you encounter any technical issues? Justin Hardy, who was second in scoring at Washington University while battling Stage IV stomach cancer . The entire 2020-21 season was canceled. But what changed me in so many ways was everything he did off the court. Risk Advisory Associate at Grant Thornton. Mentally, Im not at the point where the bad things are really bad, he said. RIP Justin Hardy. How, after a life-changing diagnosis, he became a better person, a better friend and a better teammate. Justin lived like he played basketball, meeting each moment with uncommon determination and hope, Martin said. At the time, he had a port in his chest and treatment was still a biweekly battle Is that even an option? he questioned. Through his compassion for his friends, he redirected attention away from himself. Required fields are marked *, Solve the equation: *
Hardys treatment days are long and usually scheduled for a Monday or Tuesday so that hes feeling well by the end of the week to play in games. "Justin decided to attack this diagnosis like he would attack a defender on the court," the campaign's description read, adding that the student athlete continued his studies as well as his work as a "major contributor to the Men's Basketball Team at Wash U" amid cancer treatments. Hes not like that. Justin Hardy died on Sunday morning after a 13-month battle with stomach cancer. School, Through cancer, Washington U. basketball player shows hes just built different., Executive MBA and Professional Development. Chancellor Andrew D. Martin was among his many fans. Washington University basketball player Justin Hardy recently passed away at the age of 22. An official cause of death has not been announced yet. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much With basketball now the center of his life, he wants that chance again. Nolan said Hardy struggled with the decision to go public with his diagnosis. Venom on d Juckem was present for all three events. ST. CHARLES, IL A former St. Charles East basketball standout who refused to let cancer stand in the way of living his life to the fullest has died. Olin Business Bronson was born Michael Peterson in 1952 to Aberystwyth barmaid Eira Peterson, whom he . Top photo: Bears basketball player Justin Hardy takes the court at the NCAA Division III mens basketball game between Emory University and the WashU Bears at the Field House on Feb. 11. He was alsoprofiled in a College GameDaysegment earlier this year, in which it was revealed that the cancer had spread to the lining of his colon. His doctors performed a small surgery that bought him five weeks without treatment at the beginning of the season, and then he reverted to IV chemotherapy. }. The biggest fear you have is that Im going to try this and Im going to fail, right? Chancellor Andrew D. Martin was among his many fans. display: none !important;
In early April, surrounded and supported by family, teammates and coaches, Hardy received an award in New Orleans during Final Four weekend that recognized a year of achievement. Hardy scored a collegiate career-high 28 points in February. Please logout and login again. In place of flowers, we encourage donations to the #HardyStrong GoFundMe, Bob Hardy wrote. Given an initial prognosis of 12-18 months after diagnosis, Hardy averaged 11.1 points in 23 minutes per game over 21 games last season. An amazing story about Olin alum and WashU athlete Justin Hardy, BSBA '21, is making the rounds. Teammate and close friend Jack Nolan certainly has been. The first round, he said, produced impressive progress but subsequent chemo has left him regressing slowly. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. Hardy, 22, graduated in December after just three-and-a-half yearswith a double major in accounting and finance while also playing a sport. . As we grieve alongside the Hardy family, we also thank them for the gifts that Justin brought to his teammates and friends at WashU. At the end of the month, after his regiment of chemotherapy ends, he will undergo scans for the first time in months to find out if treatments are having an impact. Hardy told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in January: This is my life now and one day it changed forever. Example video title will go here for this video. His game-winning three-point shot to stun St. Charles North that season went viral on Twitter. Wicked winds and drenching rain in St. Louis Thursday night into Friday, Striking photos show inside vacant Millennium Hotel St. Louis, St. Louis forecast: Weather Alert Day issued for Friday, Illinois first responders prepare for what severe weather spring could bring, 'How can you not be moved? 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