Guest Spotlight: Tylee Craft

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Tylee Craft

Tylee Craft on the porch of the Family House Pine Wing May 2022

Tylee became a guest at SECU Family House in March of 2022. Hailing from Sumter, South Carolina, this rising senior at UNC - Chapel Hill was until recently, a propitious wide receiver on the Carolina football team. After experiencing severe back pains and spasms, and eventually collapsing in the Kenan Football Center this past February, he was admitted to UNC Hospitals and diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma – a rare form of lung cancer.

Under the care of Dr. Jared Weiss, who specializes in lung and head/neck cancers at UNC Health, Tylee is undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments. Ever the athlete, his drive, positive attitude and strong mental health have remained in tack, thanks to the constant support of his mother. September, and an aunt who alternate staying here with him. In addition to his mother and aunt and a host of other family members, Tylee has been getting mountains of support from the UNC Athletic community: almost daily cards from the football team, coaches, spouses, teammates, regular outdoor visits with football friends, and friends from his hometown. Recently, the UNC Academic Support Program for Student Athletes, donated the softest blankets for our guests.

Asked what staying at Family House has meant to him, Tylee shared that he really appreciates that his mom and aunt can stay here with him - that our home has allowed him to “keep his mind off from being a patient and stay positive.” We wish Tylee all the strength and love as he fights cancer.

May 20, 2022

Comments

  1. Rhonda Smith's avatar
    Rhonda Smith
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    Tylee we are thinking about you and your family and sending prayers for all. You are a strong and courageous young man and we so admire your strength and positivity! You keep fighting and remember you are in many peoples thoughts and prayers!!! <br /> Look forward to seeing you on the field. <br /> All Our Best,<br /> The Smith Family
  2. Rhonda Smith's avatar
    Rhonda Smith
    | Permalink
    Tylee we are thinking about you and your family and sending prayers for all. You are a strong and courageous young man and we so admire your strength and positivity! You keep fighting and remember you are in many peoples thoughts and prayers!!! <br /> Look forward to seeing you on the field. <br /> All Our Best,<br /> The Smith Family
  3. Vernice D Ellis's avatar
    Vernice D Ellis
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    Tyler, to you, your Mom, September and ALL of the family that love you. <br /> <br /> Sweetheart, I until this evening while watching the North Carolina, Clemson game, had no idea who you were, or the struggle you were enduring. BUT that's all changed now.<br /> <br /> I'm a sixty- right year old grandmother of African American descent; and so needless to say, I could easily be your grandmother, your mom's mom as it were. In fact, if you'd like another grandma, you can certainly have one in me.😊<br /> <br /> Tylee, I can only imagine what it must feel like for a young man of your age, living life to the fullest, enjoying, and reveling in the totality of the college experience, to suddenly, out of the clear blue be HIT by such a fear inducing diagnosis. I can only imagine how September must have felt, FEEL to have the "love of her life," her baby boy be under attack by such a thing as this. When my eldest grandchild Christopher, now twenty -five, at eleven was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, it was heart stopping for me because I'd watched it and heart disease play a huge roll in my mother's demise. And so, as I said Tylee...." I can only imagine."<br /> <br /> What I don't have to attempt to imagine however, is God's goodness! AND the fact that He can do ANYTHING but lie!<br /> <br /> The word of God, the Bible, God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Jesus The Christ, Yashua... it's said "By His stripes we are healed" Tyler. He said it, THEY said it, all you have to do my Dahlin, is "believe it." You, your mom, your extended family have hundreds, possibly thousands of standing in agreement with you. Praying for you. And wherever there are two or more, He said, he's in the midst. So Tylee, with ALL of us out here praying for you, that means that at ANY given time, there are ALWAYS gonna be at least two of us! And so, GOD is ALWAYS, FOREVER gonna be in the midst of your prayers.<br /> <br /> Don't let the devil who comes to do nothing but "steal, kill and destroy," steal your PEACE, kill your JOY or destroy your FAITHFULNESS.<br /> <br /> God's got you Tyler; and so do WE.<br /> <br /> Stay SAFE, be STRONG and know that you are LOVED!<br /> <br /> Vernice

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