High School Athletes Rally Around Athletic Trainer Battling Leukemia

At Framingham High School in Massachusetts, Athletic Trainer Victoria Crowe has spent her days helping student-athletes through injuries, rehabilitation, and the challenges of competing in high school sports.

Now, those same athletes are coming together to support her.

Crowe is preparing to undergo her fifth round of treatment for leukemia following a period of remission. When students and staff learned about her latest health challenge, they wanted to show her just how much she means to their school.

The result was “Flyers Fight For Victoria,” a schoolwide show of support during a recent football game against Brookline.

Working with a local company, school officials arranged for 1,000 orange shirts bearing the message. Athletes and spectators wore the shirts, while cheerleaders added orange ribbons, personalized bows, and bracelets to help spread the message.

For the students, it was an opportunity to give back to someone who has always been there for them.

“Every single time something’s wrong with my body, Victoria’s always there to help me out,” senior football player Jesus Batista told WBZ NewsRadio.

Senior football player Jaime Colorado described Crowe as someone who feels like part of every team at the school.

Her influence even extends beyond athletics.

“She’s inspired me to do stuff in medical when I’m older,” junior cheerleader Aria Harrison said.

The Framingham Flyers went on to defeat Brookline 50–29, but Crowe said the atmosphere made the evening special for reasons beyond the final score.

“While I know the athletes have my back and they’re rooting for me … it’s kind of also nice to see it,” Crowe said. “You could tell the game seemed bigger than just playing the game.”

For Crowe, the evening was a reminder of the relationships she's built with her athletes. And for the students at Framingham, it was a chance to show their Athletic Trainer that the care and support she gives them goes both ways. Full story here!