ROCHESTER, Mich. – A 15-year-old Rochester boy diagnosed with brain cancer will play in a basketball game including former Division 1 basketball players from the University of Michigan and Oakland University.
Sam Kell was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in November 2015 but is known for his eternal optimism and strong faith.
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"Teens don’t handle (this type of situation) very well, on average," Dr. Carl Koschmann, Sam's neuro-oncologist, said. "It’s unfair, and we usually see anger, despair and depression. With Sam, he is appreciative of his physicians, and he follows my instructions. He’s such an amazing patient."
Sam plays basketball at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester and will be part of an event to benefit the New Day Foundation for Families.
"Sam's Game" will pit Sam, his teammates and friends against supporters of his battle with cancer, including former Michigan and Oakland players and Sam's family and friends.
Pistons guard Reggie Jackson and Oakland head basketball coach Greg Kampe are expected to participate in the event. Former professional basketball player Greg Grant is expected to be involved after hosting the first "Sam's Game" last year.
The game will benefit the New Day Foundation for Families, which was founded in honor of Sam's late father, Matt Kell, who died of cancer more than 10 years ago.
New Day co-founder and executive director Gina Kell Spehn and her husband, Michael Spehn, united their families and started the New Day Foundation after both losing their spouses to cancer.
New Day works to reduce the financial and emotional burdens of cancer patients and their families.
"Sam's Game" will be from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Oakland University O'Rena. Admission to the event is free, but donations are welcome to benefit the New Day Foundation for Families.
To donate to the foundation online, click here.
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