South Florida player Alexis Buchman has been diagnosed with brain cancer and will undergo treatment.
Buchman underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in mid-September after noticing numbness and tingling sensations in her left arm in July. The diagnosis of cancer came after the September surgery.
A native of Tampa who spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons as part of the Bulls’ program, Buchman is already undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments.
In a school statement, USF head coach Ken Eriksen said, “Knowing how positive and what a fighter Alexis is, it’s easy to join her with vigor as we help her through this Bulls’ Family challenge. It has been so great to see her outlook every week when she is around us. The support she has been getting from all the teams and coaches here at USF shows how we take care of US!”
Bulls athletic director Michael Kelly added, “”It hurts to see one of our amazing student-athletes face a challenge like this. She’s an inspiring young woman and I’m positive that she’ll continue to attack this with the same optimism and strength that she displayed on the softball field. The entirety of the USF Athletics family is behind Alexis Buchman in her fight against cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family and Alexis has our full support throughout her battle.”
“Miles for Moffitt is Tampa Bay’s premier community-wide movement of courage and hope, raising funds for life-saving cancer research,” according to the organization’s website. Members of the USF athletic department and other athletic teams will join the softball team in participating in the Miles for Moffitt event on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Amalie Arena. The support effort behind Buchman has been named “#BucSTRONG.” Those wishing to join the team in supporting Alexis by participating or donating to Miles for Moffitt can do so HERE.
A GoFundMe has also been created to support Alexis and the Buchman family during her treatment. Individuals wishing to donate to the family can do so directly by clicking HERE.
