CARROLL, Iowa — While the Hawkeyes are making their mark on the court, they are also leaving a lasting impact off the court.
14-year-old Bailey Lux has been battling cancer for two years, and the Iowa women's basketball team has been there for her every step of the way.
“I’ve been a Hawkeye fan since birth, so it’s been kind of in my blood for a really long time now," Lux said.
Lux's journey the past two years hasn't been easy.
In September 2022, scans showed that Bailey had MPNST Sarcoma in her right arm and a tumor between her lung and spine.
Lux moved out to the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City for six weeks of radiation — leading to the surprise of a lifetime that sparked her love for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Kate Martin and Caitlin Clark came to see me right before their practice at like seven in the morning, so me and Caitlin got some Mario Kart in for the day," Lux said.
While Lux was going through treatment, she regularly went to the Hawkeye games, translating their game battles to her treatment battles.
“After seeing them play in person, they showed that if you try hard enough you can accomplish anything," Lux said. "My biggest accomplishment was going to be cancer."
Lux was able to develop strong relationships with not only the women's Basketball team, but the men's basketball team as well.
“It just makes my day, just to be able to talk to them and have like somebody that they know that looks up to them, and that they can just make everybody smile by just talking to them and saying hi," Lux said.
On Dec. 14, 2022, the tumor in Lux's arm was successfully removed and, months later, doctors also removed the tumor by her lungs and spine.
During recovery from her surgeries, Lux got another surprise visit from Kate Martin, one of her favorite players. She told Local 5 that moment flipped a switch.
“It made a huge impact on my life," Lux said. "I look up to them, like I’ve always looked up to them, ever since I first met them.”
After the visit from Martin, Lux was released from the hospital several days earlier than expected.
“After meeting them, that just brought out [something in] me and it, like, encouraged me," Lux said. "I’m going to beat it now. And I beat it for the first time ever, so I got to ring the bell and everything.”
In February 2024, Lux had scans that showed her cancer came back and is now in her lungs. The biopsy showed that it was high-grade MPNST Sarcoma, for which there is no treatment or cure.
The Hawkeyes passion has stuck with Lux, and she tells herself every day, “Just keep trying, you’ll win.”
Lux constantly reminds herself to keep going, just like the Hawkeyes do.
“They don’t care, they win the next game and the next game," Lux said. "And it just helps me like say 'Hey, if I keep trying I will, I can win, I’m never going to give up.'"
Lux's dad, Kraig, knew that they needed to see the Hawkeyes play one more time. They went to the second round of the NCAA tournament game, and Caitlin Clark's final game in Carver Hawkeye Arena.
Creating an unforgettable memory for Bailey.
“They’ve impacted my life and I’m really grateful that I got to meet them all," Lux said.
Bailey has not missed a game all season and plans to keep cheering on the Hawkeyes at home with her friends.