TicketsMay 10, 2011
CINCINNATI - While weekends are usually a time to wind down with a game of pick-up basketball or catch up on studying as the end of the semester draws near, the women's basketball team took some time out from their usual Saturday routine to pay a visit to someone special - Buzz Smith.
Buzz, who will celebrate his 11th birthday this month, is recovering from multiple surgeries after doctors discovered a tumor in July 2010. What was initially thought to be a pulled neck muscle was later shown to be a spinal cord tumor in further MRI tests. Despite the many ups and downs on his path to recovery, Buzz has proven to be an inspiration to many, including the Bearcats.
"The first time I saw Buzz at one of our games this year and heard about his story I knew he was someone we wanted to be a part of our family," said head coach Jamelle Elliott. "Buzz's attitude and his positive perspective on how he approaches his circumstances and life has been an inspiration to us all."
After undergoing his second 10-hour surgery on May 3rd, doctors fused a rod between his vertebrae to help heal the incision and to avoid infection. Once the healing is complete, Buzz will begin therapy to relearn movement in his neck and shoulder muscles. Although he still has a long way to recovery, the UC women will continue to provide him with all the support they can.
"He not only took an instant liking to our team, but it was love at first sight for us as well," Elliott said. "We are invested in making his ongoing recovery process as easy as possible for him and we are committed to doing everything we can to help. He is `officially' a part of our team."