LOWER POTTSGROVE Once again, St. Pius X girls basketball is showing itself to be more of a family than a team.

Several years ago, the Winged Lions came to the aid of teammate Mary Kate Brady, cooking meals for the Brady family while Mary Kate's mother battled cancer. This time, the Lions have rallied around junior teammate Alyssa Flanagan, whose 9-year-old sister, Casey, has been undergoing treatment for a form of ocular cancer.

In the fall, members of the St. Pius volleyball team, which Alyssa was unable to play with this season because of Casey's treatment, held a Dig Pink fundraiser, donating the money to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Casey's name.

Members of the basketball team, many of whom also play volleyball, have been selling bracelets similar to Lance Armstrong's LIVESTRONG bracelets with "Casey's Courage" written on them to raise more money for Children's Hospital in Casey's name.

They've raised about $600 so far and plan to hold an event similar to Dig Pink at an upcoming basketball game.

"Casey's a great kid," said Liz Shields, a freshman on St. Pius' junior varsity basketball team. "Everybody loves her."

The Shields and Flanagan families have known each other for a long time. Liz and Casey both attended Sacred Heart School in Royersford Liz was in eighth grade last year when Casey was in second grade.

Liz's mother, Mary, and Casey and Alyssa's mom, Joanne, came up with the idea and made the "Casey's Courage" bracelets.

"It's really cool," said Liz. "You go school, and everyone has the bracelets on."

Casey, who was 8 at the time, was diagnosed last May with rhabdomyosarcoma, a relatively rare form of cancer, and underwent chemotherapy last summer for a soft-tissue tumor in her eye muscle. In September, Casey's doctors at Children's Hospital recommended she go to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for proton therapy, a precise form of radiation treatment.

"It was really sad," said Liz, "but Casey's been really strong through it. She's a really good example for everybody. Everyone's helping out as much as we can. They'll get through it."

Tests discovered Casey's cancer when she was suffering from a droopy eyelid that would not go away.

"It was kind of a shock," said Alyssa, who is eight years older than Casey. "You never think that can happen to you or your little sister. It's always hard when little kids have to go through that. I was more afraid for her than myself.

"She was brave through the entire thing. She's such an inspiration for me. You don't expect anyone to handle it as well as she did. She's only a little person."

Alyssa, who could not make a commitment to the volleyball team last fall because of Casey's illness, traveled with her parents back and forth to Boston for several weeks while Casey underwent treatment. So far, so good. She still has vision in her eye.

"She's doing great," said Alyssa. "All her tests have come back positive so far. She has to go back in a couple of weeks for more tests. We're hoping they're as positive as we think they'll be."

Casey, who turned 9 on Dec. 8, is back to school at Sacred Heart. She was able to return to her dance classes a few weeks ago.

"She was real excited to go back to it," said Alyssa. "Dance is her thing."

In early December, right around her birthday, Casey traveled with her parents, Joanne and Richard, and her sisters, Alyssa and 5-year-old Erin, to Disney World for six days courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Flanagans stayed at the Make-A-Wish resort.

"It was really great," said Alyssa, who missed a couple of Pius basketball games while in Florida. "Everybody treated us like we were VIPs. Casey had a special pass so we didn't have to wait in long lines. She got to meet all the (Disney) characters. Her wish came true."

Despite the eight-year age gap, Alyssa and Casey have a close relationship.

"We play together," said Alyssa. "But she's closer to my other sister. I'm more her really big sister. I can always tell when they're trying to be like me and act like me. I have to make sure of my attitude and how I talk because it reflects on them."

Whenever she's able, Casey attends Alyssa's basketball games. Alyssa's teammates enjoy having Casey around and want to do whatever they can to help her through her battle with cancer.

"They're supporting Casey and all of us," said Alyssa. "Everybody's been great through everything.

"These are girls you're always with. When you're with the basketball team and volleyball team, you make a commitment to them. Everybody sticks with you. Whatever you go through, they go through. It's nice to see the love they showed throughout this entire thing."

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