1/4/2008
media contact: Jaymes Powell, Jr., Staff Writer
The News & Observer
(919) 829-4556 or jaymes.powell@newsobserver.com



DURHAM - Lance Thomas leaned against the wall nearly in tears.

In a room just a few feet over from the Duke freshman forward, other Blue Devils played cards with Dana Smith, a 19-year-old college student with a rare form of cancer that has attacked her spine.

Smith was one of several seriously ill young people visited by the Duke basketball team during the team's annual trip to Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center on Thursday.

"It's sad. It's just something about me. I feel really, really bad for these kids, and it's hard to actually look at that and for me to be so fortunate," Thomas said.

Thomas said seeing Smith and others battle illness puts life into perspective.

"I'm just very thankful, and it makes you count your blessings every day," said Thomas, saying he was overwhelmed because he did not know what to expect.

"It's just—I'm very blessed. These kids are blessed that they have their parents here with them. These kids are the warriors, and it makes you appreciate life and the things we're able to
do with ours."

After seeing him standing outside of her daughter's room, Terrie Brown of Greensboro said she knew Thomas was shaken up.

When Brown told Smith that her good cheer in the face of poor health made Thomas realize his own blessings, Smith herself got teary-eyed.

"Helping people is something I always want to do, but at times I can't help people," said Smith, who added it was nice that the Blue Devils didn't treat her as if she was sick.

"So, helping someone when you don't know you're helping them is completely different. If it makes him thankful, then it makes me feel better at the same time."

Duke players Jon Scheyer, left, Greg Paulus, center, and manager Griffin Tormey play Uno with Dana Smith, right. Courtesy of Duke Athletics Department