University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Visit Children's Hospital
October 21, 2016 | Women's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- On Thursday afternoon, members of the Lady Vols basketball team traveled to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for Cole’s Launch.
Cole’s Launch is a celebration at the hospital for former patient, Cole Cross, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away at the age of six. Cole was known for flying paper airplanes as a kid, and so the event was created to celebrate his life.
“I enjoyed visiting with the little kids; they were so happy and excited to see us,” freshman Kamera Harris said. “It was really fun. I met a guy named Alex; he was full of energy. They were really into it. It was a great experience.”
The Lady Vols basketball team played with the children in the hospital and joined them in making paper airplanes and throwing them from the third floor of the hospital. Prizes were awarded to the kids for longest flight, most eye-catching design and most accurate flight.
“Yesterday was awesome! It warms my heart to see our student-athletes care so deeply about our community, especially kids at our local hospital,” said Director of NCAA Champs Life Skills Kayla Smith, who helped organize the event. “They became kids again themselves and enjoyed an afternoon helping patients make, decorate, and fly paper airplanes. The icing on the cake was visiting patients in their rooms for a special visit after the event. With wristbands in tote, the team enjoyed bringing smiles to the faces of patients and their families and even had a dance party in one room!”
