October 30, 2023 - It’s an amazing story of perseverance, resilience, strength, and purpose. Student-athlete Amanda Zeno ’24 overcame the challenges of a rare cancer diagnosis, earned a spot her junior year at Marist 作为一个 walk-on onto the Division I Women's Basketball team, and is now preparing to become a physician's assistant.

Amanda’s journey shows what an unyielding spirit and determination can do. Beyond her grit and toughness is a big heart and a strong mind. Currently interning 作为一个 patient care technician at Northern Dutchess Hospital, Amanda’s life-changing experience has fueled her passion to become a physician assistant, 专攻儿童癌症.

“I want to work 作为一个 pediatric oncology PA not to just tell kids they can get better, but to show them that it’s possible since I’ve been in their shoes,阿曼达说。. “我的家人, 朋友, 医疗小组, and community have been incredible through everything so I plan to offer that same level of support and encouragement to kids.”

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An accomplished player and valedictorian at Fallsburg High School, 离bet亚洲365欢迎投注大约50英里, 阿曼达获得了许多运动方面的荣誉 作为一个 得分1000分. However, in 2019, she started noticing unusual symptoms.

“After a travel AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] game my face was completely broken out, 我的淋巴结肿了, 我几乎无法呼吸, 我累得要命,”她说。. “I kept trying to play in the tournament but I had to finally tell my coach that I was going to pass out. I wanted to show recruiters that I could play, but I physically couldn’t.”

Amanda cut her tournament short and went straight to the hospital where she received the diagnosis: acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rare cancer that starts in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow.

平均只有29人.5% of people survive five years after diagnosis.

“When I was in remission after chemotherapy, I found out I needed a bone marrow transplant, 我从我爸爸那里得到的阿曼达说。. “由于移植后的并发症, I had to spend about a year in the hospital, celebrating my graduation in the hospital lobby.”

在她康复期间, 一位护士鼓励她去研究bet亚洲365欢迎投注, which Amanda chose because of the College’s proximity to home, 它的科学项目, and its Division I women’s basketball team.

While her playing career continued to wait, 阿曼达在玛丽斯特的班上表现优异, taking on challenging science coursework 作为一个 biomedical science major with a minor in psychology. Despite the ups and downs of her ongoing health journey post-chemotherapy, Amanda decided to try out for the basketball team in her junior year, 和成功.

阿曼达在麦凯恩体育馆练习. 图片来源:Nelson Echeverria/bet亚洲365欢迎投注.

“When deciding to try out for the team I thought God forbid I get sick again, 我会后悔没有抓住这次机会,阿曼达说。. “I missed playing so much while I was in the hospital since it’s been a dream of mine to play at the college level since I was in the third grade. It felt amazing when I made the team; it w作为一个 dream come true.”

Amanda discussed how the Marist community serves 作为一个n extension of her support system.

“I love the family atmosphere of my team and I’m so glad I got the chance to learn from (former) 布莱恩·乔治教练 现在从 主教练艾琳·道蒂阿曼达说。. “如果你正在经历一个挑战, just know that your support system has your back and that you’re never really alone.”

While Amanda has been sidelined due to several long-term health effects from chemotherapy and other cancer treatments — among them was needing shoulder surgery for avascular necrosis — she serves 作为一个n active and important player on the team.

Coach Erin Doughty (center) and Coaching 工作人员. Image Design by Steven DeVico/bet亚洲365欢迎投注. 图片由圣母大学体育学院提供. 

Amanda says she wouldn’t have survived without her team at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and the 儿童癌症基金, which is the organization that funded the research, trials, and treatment she took part in. She also says she hopes telling her story helps others going through similar situations.

“I don’t need the limelight or the attention when people hear my story,”她说。. “I just want to bring awareness to pediatric cancer — an important and underfunded issue. I also want to tell people to take opportunities when you get them, 把每一天都当成最后一天来过, 不要认为生活是理所当然的.”

买到票 到圣母大战. 陆军季将于11月11日开幕. 9, support Amanda and her teammates, and pay tribute to our veterans.