Crum, W. Va. — Former Tolsia basketball player Bradee Vance, who overcame a kidney transplant and played his senior year, will be featured on ESPN’s “My Wish”series this coming Tuesday Morning.
Bradee with his Aunt Kristy Watts
Bradee starting having trouble in middle school with high blood pressure and fatigue and missed his 8th grade year, during his freshman year he was cleared to play basketball but was having trouble with his legs and just thought it might be shin splints but got further testing and turned out he was diagnosed with Alport Syndrome and needed a kidney transplant.
His Aunt Kristy was the first one that stepped up and was a perfect match. They went to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus on November 1st 2022 and just days later they were both on the road to recovery.
After taking a couple years off from sports Bradee decided to give it a go his senior season and on February 28th the Rebels were hosting Sherman to open up postseason play and at halftime Bradee was informed that his wish would be granted and he would be attending the North Carolina and Duke game at Cameron Indoor Stadium the following weekend.
#10 Bradee Vance receives the news at halftime that his wish was granted to attend the Duke/UNC game.
Trailing almost the entire game the Rebels made a furious rally and took the lead with a few minutes left. Bradee, who was playing his last home game, was inserted into the lineup and hit a corner three and the Rebel Arena crowd went wild.
The series features Make-A-Wish kids whose dreams of meeting their favorite sports teams and heroes have come true – highlighting the wish kids’ inspiring journeys as they battle their illnesses. Bradee’s wish was to meet the Duke University basketball team.
Bradee showing off his custom Duke jersey.
Five Make-a-Wish kids will be featured in this summer’s edition of the series. Each day from Sunday, July 14, to Thursday, July 18, one of the children’s stories will be featured during the 7 a.m. ET hour of “SportsCenter” on ESPN. Bradee’s segment is slated for Tuesday, July 16.
Bradee with Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer.
According to Make-A-Wish, ESPN camera crews are on-hand for the episodes from the moment the kids learn their wishes are coming true to the day they meet their favorite athlete or team, documenting the journey. The series has documented more than 80 wish kids since it began in 2006, according to the organization.
“The power of the ‘My Wish’ series lies in the beautiful way that ESPN honors these wish kids and their families by letting them share their inspiring stories with viewers,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO, Make-A-Wish America. “Once viewers hear what these families have dealt with and overcome, they can start to see the critical role a wish plays in restoring hope, joy and a sense of normalcy to families.
Following the debut of the segments, the features will continue to air for 24 hours on successive SportsCenter programming, according to Make-A-Wish. Digital versions of each story will also be on the ESPN and Make-A-Wish websites. for more on the “My Wish” series, visit the Make-A-Wish website
Josh, Greenlee, Bradee and Rhonda Vance at Duke University
Bradee Vance
“… They had taken my phone from me for two days acting like I had been grounded but when I found out why they actually took it they was more like surprise that’s why we took it they never wanted anyone to text me and spoil the surprise as well.”
“… Honestly I just thought that someone broke a record or something had broke out in the huge crowd that was at the game when we were stopped at half court but when I figured out what was going on it was surreal moment.”
“… It was a night that I’ll never forget, it was once in a lifetime literally and that being my last moment on the Tolsia floor was one of the best ways to go off of it.”
“ …The drive was too long but when we got there it was like a celebrity had arrived there was so much attention just based around me it was almost too much to handle, but aside from all of the cameras which I had no problem with it was a very very fun experience. Meeting coaches past and present, meeting the team and doing things with the student section. During the game I got to go on the court during a TV timeout and received an autographed basketball from coach Scheyer and the team it was an amazing experience and one I’ll never forget.”
“…When I found out I needed one during my sophomore year She was the first one to sign up for the process and everything she done was just about a 100% match through everything I was insanely fortunate enough for it to be my aunt who was a match because it usually takes a long while for the whole process to finish and when we found out it was gonna be her that was giving the kidney it was kind of a relief because it was a whole lot better to get the kidney from a living donor and it was such a good match that it should last me a long time if I take good care of it which I will do.”
“… Some of my friends didn’t really see the importance of it for me and of what game I went and attended and all the people I got to see some did understand though and was in shock that I got to do as much as I did still to this day I’m shocked that I got to do all of that but there was every question asked when I got back about the trip and there was some people happy that Duke lost but sad they did because I was there but can’t win them all I don’t guess.”
Aunt Kristy Watts
“… I was blessed that God allowed me to be able to help Bradee when he needed it the most …….. our family has always been close but after this myself and bradee have an even closer connection. Many people have said I am a hero but I’m not, Bradee is the hero in my eyes and I would do it again and again.”
“… God put it on my heart very heavy that I needed to help someone at that time I never realized it was Bradee so when this came about with Bradee I new in my heart I would be the one to help. I never expected the make a wish foundation to accommodate Bradee with all his dreams but I am super thrilled and thankful that some of bradee’s dreams was met and I’m so excited to see joy on his face.”
“… I am super proud of Bradee he is a wonderful young man and he deserves this recognition and so much more as a family we where all worried to death about Bradee but Bradee has so much faith in God through it he kept us strong by being so strong himself.”
Tolsia Head Coach Brian Stacy
“… Here’s my question to everyone? Have you had the opportunity to meet Bradee Vance? If not you’re missing out on one of the best young men I know of. He stared adversity right in the face and never flinched.”
“…Most people would’ve laid around worrying about when the kidney transplant was going to happen. I’m referring to but Bradee never got down told mom and dad it was going to be alright when the time comes it will come. And just so happen a match and who would’ve guessed it was right in his backyard his aunt Kristy was a match so the date was set and the transplant happened.”
“… Bradee recovered remarkably well. Started resuming his natural activities without any problems. Such a strong young man. He decided he was going try his luck at basketball and come try out for the high school team. At first I didn’t no much about it and what he could and couldn’t do but mom and dad gave us the green light to push him which I didn’t have to push too hard, he came out and busted it in tryouts never stopping for sickness. Made the team and never looked back. Such an inspiration to Tolsia basketball . Never missed practice or a sprint and just pushed through whatever popped up.”
“… I never knew that had sent his stuff into the make a wish program till I got phone call from make a wish telling me what was going on and when they’d be in town. Asking me would it be ok to come to one of our games and make the announcement. I was like are you kidding come on down to Rebel Arena let’s make it happen. It was such and awesome night. We had trailed the game most of the night but we pulled away and it was Bradee’s turn to shine… and shine he did. My guys actually drew the play up right on the floor. Evan was director pointing players where to go and what to do. He got Bradee the ball off of a CJ Waller screen and the rest was history. His favorite spot in the corner. He released the shot and I just turned and started walking I knew it was nylon when he released it. The place went crazy. It’s one those defining moments, one that I’ll never forget. It’s still in my history book lol. Couldn’t happen to better young man. The make a wish program is awesome and Bradee was so deserving of the trip to watch Duke play UNC. So set your clocks for Monday morning at 7:00 To see Bradees story I’m sure you’ll not want to miss it. Such a great young man I can’t say enough about how he helped Tolsia Rebel Basketball. Love you buddy, my door is always open.”
