WINFIELD, W.Va. –The parents of Ty Laughery, a Winfield High School boys basketball player battling cancer, say the amount of support they have received during this time has been incredible.
Mike and Mary Beth Laughery appeared on MetroNews Midday Wednesday afternoon ahead of the No. 4 seed Winfield Generals’ matchup against No. 5 seed Ripley in the WVSSAC boys state triple A quarterfinal in Charleston.
Their son, Ty, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December, a couple of weeks after the season started.
Mary Beth said they have received support from many people.
“We’ve been really blessed with our family, our friends, our community, our co-workers, the state, oh my gosh, our care in Cincinnati has been incredible, our pediatrician Dr. Childers who found this in the first place,” she said.
Mike agreed, saying support from across the state, including from rival basketball teams, has reached out to Ty.
He said the outpouring of support has helped them focus on Ty and his treatment.
“We can focus on his health and not have to worry about anything,” Mike said.
Mike said Ty’s doctors in Cincinnati made it possible for him to suit up. They were able to remove his peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) and move his chemotherapy treatment to Thursday instead of Wednesday.
“So, two weeks ago I said we’re only one game away, and the doctor said well then we’re moving it,” he said.
They said that since the PICC line was removed, he has been able to spend time with friends, including going to the driving range, and participate more in practice.
Mary Beth said his team has rallied around him.
“They’ve just included him and just shown him so much support and I think that has really helped has helped him along this journey and throughout the battle,” she said.
Winfield defeated Nitro last week to secure its spot in the tournament.
Mike said the team has put in the work to earn the opportunity.
“I think this team has worked hard all year, I mean they have put in time from the summer,” he said. “A good group of kids, very young, we don’t start a senior, 14 out of 15 kids are underclassman, but we play hard and play together.”
They said his last scheduled treatment is June 10, when doctors will perform a PET scan.
Mary Beth said the second PET scan, completed a few weeks ago, showed promising results, and they remain hopeful.
“We feel really comfortable about it, with that PET scan, I’m telling you he’s a walking miracle, God is good has really truly blessed him,” she said. “It looks a lot different than the one in December that’s for sure.”