A fraternity from the University of California have stepped in to cheer up a 12-year-old girl confined to her hospital bed as she battles both heart disease and cancer.
After being diagnosed 18 months ago, Lexi Brown has spent much of her time in hospital rooms, but when she ended up in a room overlooking the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) House at the University of California, Los Angeles, she never imagined the friendship that would soon unfold.
According to NBC News, in an attempt to distract themselves from Lexi’s diagnosis, she and her mum, Lisa, put up a sign in the hospital window asking for pizza. What they didn’t know was that the guys of the SAE saw the sign and decided to do something extra.
Lexi’s mum said:
Five guys come in, and they had a guitar and dozen roses and a box of pizza. They stayed for a half an hour, they sang this song and I started bawling my head off. I [couldn’t] believe these people were here for my child.
During the meeting SAE member, Chase Gasper – who is also on the Men’s Soccer Team at UCLA – learned about Lexi’s love of soccer and had a heartwarming idea.
Chase told IJ.com:
I texted my teammates and they all stepped up to the plate to visit her. Everyone who got to know her was really moved. It was an incredible experience and we really want her to get through this.
The team donated jerseys, t-shirts, hats and scarves to Lexi before surprising her with tickets to one of their games – dedicating their victory to Lexi. Word spread quickly about Lexi’s story and players from the men’s and women’s rowing, swimming, and tennis teams, as well as the Christian Campus Ministry and two sororities all visited her and in one more act of kindness the SAE even spelled out Lexi’s name in lights on the roof opposite her window.
Chase says meeting Lexi has put his life into perspective:
I have had a very blessed life, nothing comes close to what she’s gone through, she’s such a strong girl. Lexi’s name will be lit up in lights throughout the holiday season.
