Cadet-Athletes Build Playset for Local Cancer Patient
Several days before classes began, a group of Virginia Military Institute cadet-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff braved the August heat while participating in Roc Solid Foundation’s “Play It Forward” program to build a playset and playhouse for 18-month-old, Oakley Clements, who is being treated for leukemia at UVA Health Children’s hospital.
Roc Solid Foundation, a nonprofit headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, builds hope for kids fighting cancer through the power of play. With the support of community volunteers, they have built thousands of playsets for families throughout the country.
VMI alumnus, Trey Barham ’08, pitched for the Keydets baseball team when he was a cadet, then went on to play professional baseball for eight seasons with the Oakland Athletics. He currently serves as director of partnerships for Roc Solid. It was Barham who invited VMI athletics to build Oakley’s playset at her home in Buena Vista.
“When I heard where she lived, I knew who to reach out to for help, and VMI’s immediate answer was yes! When kids are first diagnosed with cancer, they’re not allowed to go to normal playgrounds. They’re too immunocompromised. It’s not safe for them. So, we build playsets in their own backyards. We can’t cure cancer, but we can be here for them while they have it. We can help the families enjoy a little bit of normalcy and have some fun, even if it’s just for a couple seconds a day. That’s what it’s all about. It’s very fulfilling,” said Barham.
Shanna Clements, Oakley’s mother, shared the toddler was 10 months old when she was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“It was a few days before her first Christmas. Her doctor ordered lab work and discovered her white blood count was through the roof. He instructed us to go to UVA, and that’s where we found out she had cancer.” Shanna disclosed Oakley’s medical treatment has been a long, difficult road. “There were some days in the very beginning when we truly didn’t think we would get this far. There were some rough complications we went through, but she’s made it. She is happy and living her best life. The construction of this playset is very exciting because I know I can see Oakley being a toddler again, playing outside and having fun.”
Jamaal Walton ’07, director of intercollegiate athletics, said VMI is excited to do great things for the community.
“I feel like I want to play on this once we finish,” he joked while the cadets hammered and drilled. Earnestly he continued, “It’s a lot of hard work and effort, but this is what we’re all about at VMI.”
