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We try to cover all of the good that Athletic Trainers do in their communities on the Healthy Roster blog. But every once in a while, we get to share good things being done for the ATs.
In this remarkable story, the community's compassion and resilience emerges for their healthcare expert.
This story revolves around Alexandra Houck, the Athletic Trainer at McGuffey High School in Pennsylvania, who is currently in the fight of her life against breast cancer.
Originally hailing from Baltimore, Houck has been a steadfast presence in at McGuffey for 11 years, contracted by NovaCare Rehabilitation. Her commitment to the district began even before that, during her time as a graduate assistant at California University.
She admired the tight-knit community and dreamt of joining it.
“It’s amazing how much everybody cares about each other… I want to be a part of that.”
And indeed, she became an integral part.
Upon receiving her cancer diagnosis, Houck experienced the initial shock and dread that such news brings.
“You hear ‘cancer’ and you’re like, instant death sentence."
However, despite this knee-jerk reaction, she shifted her mindset, focusing on a positive outlook and a comprehensive treatment plan.
The challenge wasn’t merely the diagnosis or the treatment itself; it was sharing the news with her athletes and their families. To her athletes, Houck is not just a staff member but a part of their extended family.
The football team’s reaction was a collective gasp, embodying their surprise and worry. She has played a pivotal role in many of their lives, being with them through injuries, wins, and losses.
“She’s family,” high school senior Nate Romestan affirmed.
A testament to the community's unity came when the Highlanders football team chose to shave their heads, a profound gesture of solidarity with their ailing Athletic Trainer.
Other sports teams and individuals within the school and broader community have shown their support, with girls’ basketball players serving as volunteer student ATs, the soccer team donning #AlexStrong shirts, and countless others sporting supportive bracelets.
Through it all, Houck remains a beacon of positivity. Even during her battle, her commitment hasn’t wavered. Despite the side effects from her chemotherapy treatments, such as peripheral nerve pain in her hands, Houck's determination to stay by her team's side remains unyielding.
“I don’t stop.”
But she acknowledged the need for occasional breaks. During one instance, amidst intense pain, she had to leave a football game, a decision that deeply saddened her.
This collective story, underscored by Houck's resilience and the unwavering support of the McGuffey community, is a heartwarming testament to the ties that bind.
As Houck so aptly put it:
"Coming from Baltimore, where you’re one in a million, to being one with a million behind you, is – it’s just amazing.”
