Columbia Softball Welcomes Kayla Collins
1/23/2017 3:00:00 PM | Softball
NEW YORK – The Columbia University softball team has announced the signing of 13-year-old Kayla Collins of New York, N.Y. to its roster through Team IMPACT.
Team IMPACT is a national organization, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams, local to where they live, and to the greatest extent possible, become a member of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation.
Kayla was joined by her parents, Evelyn and Chris, on Columbia's campus last Thursday, when she was officially drafted and signed onto the Columbia softball roster.
Kayla was diagnosed at birth with sickle cell anemia. With sickle cell disease, red blood cells contort into a sickle shape. The cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells, and can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis). Symptoms include infections, pain, and fatigue. Triggers of these pain crises can be a change in temperature/season, dehydration, not enough sleep, stress, etc. Kayla is on a few medications right now to try to enhance blood flow and decrease these pain crises.
Despite her condition, Kayla's unmatched physical and mental toughness is what convinced Columbia head softball coach, Jennifer Teague, to make her part of the team.
“Kayla has several qualities that we feel make her a great teammate and an inspiration to everyone she's around,” Teague said during Kayla's Draft Day. “We were looking for someone with enthusiasm, a great heart, care and compassion. We also wanted someone who was a fighter, and I think we found all of that with Kayla.”
Kayla's favorite color is mint green and her favorite number is 10. She loves the song Uptown Funk, her favorite show is Gilmore Girls and she loves the movie Pretty in Pink. Kayla enjoys reading, writing, painting and crafting. Her favorite game is UNO and her favorite food is Greek yogurt with peaches.
Outside the house, Kayla loves visiting museums, specifically the Met and the Guggenheim. She enjoys exploring New York City and is looking forward to walking both the Brooklyn Bridge the High Line, once again, this summer.
The Columbia softball team begins the 2017 season on February 24 with a doubleheader against Army West Point and Albany at the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational in Madeira Beach, Florida. Columbia's first home game is Friday, March 24, with a doubleheader against Monmouth beginning at 1 p.m.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Boston whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams and are a part of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. Since its inception in 2011, Team IMPACT has matched 1,100+ children to over 450 colleges and universities throughout the country. The child gains great strength, camaraderie and support and the student athletes are taught lessons about courage, resiliency and life perspective that they can't learn in a classroom.
Team IMPACT is currently looking for more children like Kayla (5-15 years old, diagnosed with a life-threatening or chronic illness that has resulted in treatment and/or extended hospital stays within the past three years and who, as a result of his or her diagnosis, could benefit from a boost to improve their quality of life both socially and psychologically) that are interested in becoming a full member of a collegiate sports team. If you know a child that may be interested, please visit the Team IMPACT website for additional information.
