Thursday, Dec 10, 2015
Girl who faces kidney disorder joins the Broncs with help from nonprofit
by Rider Sports Information
In the period of National Letters of Intent being signed, this may be the most important addition to the Rider University women’s basketball team, one that will have a positive impact on lives forever.
The Bronc women’s basketball team, under head coach Lynn Milligan and partnering with Team IMPACT, have signed 11-year-old Savanna Galasso as the newest member of the squad.
The ‘draft’ and signing was announced in Alumni Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
Savanna becomes the next young person to be named a Rider Bronc through Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses.
Across the nation Team IMPACT creates unparalleled team based support systems. Core to their model is harnessing the power of teamwork by matching these courageous kids with college athletic teams. Team IMPACT children are drafted onto local college athletic teams and become an official member of the team for the duration of their treatment and beyond. They attend practices, games, and other events as an honorary member of the team.
Savanna had a typical childhood until 7-years-old when doctors thought she had allergies. Testing ended up revealing a kidney disorder called FSGS, which would require a transplant in five to eight years. Unfortunately, the disease progressed rapidly and in July of 2013, Savanna already had Stage V kidney failure and needed to start dialysis three times a week.
Savanna underwent dialysis for a year-and-a-half before finding that a new kidney was available! On January 20, 2015, Savanna underwent the transplant. Unfortunately, after the transplant the disease came back in her new kidney. She is now taking medication and is part of a trial study to try and delay the need for dialysis.
According to Savanna, her favorite number is 15, her favorite colors are pink and green (green is for kidney disease awareness), and she loves pizza with pepperoni, cheesecake and ice cream. She absolutely loves the Food Network and the movie Grown Ups 2. Her favorite singer is Taylor Swift and she and her family has pet fish. Savanna enjoys cooking, baking, shopping, cheerleading, dancing, basketball, bowling, going to concerts, indoor water parks, and Six Flags Great Adventure. Savanna has two sisters, Courtney, 10, and Jayla, 4.
Coach Milligan said she is excited to welcome Savanna – a tough and strong girl – to the team. “With all that Savanna battles through, she truly epitomizes what it means to be a fighter and is sure to be an inspiration to her new teammates and coaches.”
The Bronc baseball and softball teams previously partnered with Team IMPACT with rewarding and lifelong relationships built between the draftee and the student-athletes at Rider University.
Draft Day: This Draft Day has been facilitated by the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Team IMPACT, 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.