While waiting for Big Blue Madness tickets, two young boys started a friendship that goes beyond their love of UK Basketball.
Reese Kemp, 15, and Lane Goodwin, 13, have both struggled with diseases in their life. Kemp living with cystic fibrosis and Goodwin battling terminal childhood cancer.
Despite both of them getting tickets for Big Blue Madness, Goodwin became too sick and was not able to go. So Kemp stepped up and still made the night a special occasion for Goodwin’s family.
He helped organize a limo to drive Goodwin’s younger brother, Landen, and his Aunt and Uncle to Rupp Arena where they were able to watch the first UK Basketball practice of the season.
“It means a lot because I know that he's enjoying watching his brother have such a good time,” Kemp said. “And I know it means a lot to him because I know if someone would do this for my brother, it would mean the world to me to see a smile on his face.”
Reese added that he doesn’t let cystic fibrosis hold him back.
“I fight through it,” he said. “I fight through it every day and fight through the struggle.”
Goodwin’s Family started the “Thumbs Up for Lane” Foundation that is focused on finding the cause of childhood cancer.
Celebrities began tweeting pictures with a thumbs up, sending their support to Goodwin, which the family says has helped them get through this time.
“There's really nothing else they can do,” Goodwin’s Aunt said about the disease. “The cancer has spread to his brain. And it's just a matter of time when the good Lord is ready to take him. And he says he's ready.”
She adds that he is living every moment to its fullest. Which is a message both Goodwin and Kemp understand.
Kemp said, “Look how much my life is changing and look how much I'm changing others.”
