Gardner Webb University Women's Volleyball
My name is Heather Feldman, and I am the Graduate Assistant Volleyball Coach at D1 Gardner-Webb University (far right, in the baseball cap). Before entering the coaching world, I was the four-year starting setter at Gardner-Webb (2011-2014). By all accounts, life was going pretty well for me in the fall of 2016. I was in the midst of my first collegiate coaching experience, I was pursuing my Master’s in Business Administration, and at 23 years old, I was blessed to be living an active and healthy lifestyle.
In the blink of an eye, all that changed.
Feeling slightly fatigued in mid-October, I chalked it up to the grind of a long season. Eventually, after experiencing night sweats, chills, swelling on my left side, and throwing up in a Red Robin bathroom, I knew something was off.
After a week of tests, scans, CT’s, biopsies, and procedures, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Diffuse Large B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on November 17th, 2016.
The initial diagnosis was a shock, and honestly, I have blocked out most of the memories from the first few days of my hospital stay. I ended up in the hospital for two weeks, recovering from a blood clot caused by the cancer, a partially collapsed lung, surgery to insert tubes to drain excess fluid from around my heart and lungs, as well as receiving my first of six chemotherapy treatments. When I was discharged from the hospital on December 1st, I returned home with my parents to Buffalo, New York to continue treatment. I had to leave my life at Gardner-Webb for a life that now consisted of PET scans, infusions, unending fatigue, and emotional distress.
Despite the shocking diagnosis after never having anything worse than the flu my entire life, I was able to persevere, thanks in large part to my parents, family, and boyfriend. Hundreds of cards, text messages, phone calls, and packages reached our Buffalo apartment, and the love and support I felt from all over was truly awe-inspiring. I did not deserve it, but was immensely grateful for it.
I feel truly fortunate that I am able to write this knowing that as of May 18th, 2017, I am in complete remission from Stage 3 Lymphoma. The journey was long and difficult, but I have learned so much about myself and what truly matters in life (it’s a cliché for a reason). I still have to get biannual scans for the next few years, but the immediate danger to my health is over, and praise the Lord Almighty for that news! Although I still deal with emotional setbacks due to trauma, I am blessed to be back doing what I love: coaching the game of volleyball.
While my story has a happy ending, not everyone is so lucky. In fact, every 9 minutes, someone in the U.S. loses their battle with blood cancer. Cancer is such a terrible disease and has affected the lives of far too many wonderful people. No parent should ever have to see their child suffer from cancer.
I want to be part of the generation that cures cancer.
The Gardner-Webb University Volleyball team is partnering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) through the month of September (Blood Cancer Awareness Month). Our mission is to raise money to directly fund cutting edge research, with the ultimate goal of curing blood cancers once and for all. As a culmination of our fundraising efforts, we will be hosting a “Dig Lime” game on Friday September 22nd at 7pm vs. Radford. I would love to see you all in the stands rocking lime green (the official support color of lymphoma). We will be collecting a donation for LLS in the intermission between sets 2 and 3, and would love your support.
If you live too far from Boiling Springs, NC, that’s fine too! This online donation page you’re visiting right now is specific to our event. If, after reading my testimony, you feel so led to contribute financially to our cause, your donation would be greatly appreciated. We’re looking to raise $2,017 through this campaign, so every dollar counts! Share the link with your friends and family via email and social media; it is a worthwhile cause that affects too many of our loved ones. In addition, if you think your business might be interested in making a donation, please email me at hfeldman@gardner-webb.edu. I have sponsorship agreements available, and a donation to our cause is tax deductible.
With your help, we can make life better for the 1.1 million Americans living with or in remission from blood cancers. My sincerest hope is that you will partner with us in supporting this noble cause.
Heather Feldman
Last updated on 03/28/2024 @ 8:32 PM
20 Comments
The Wisely Family
Heather we love you so much and are very proud of you and the GWU Volleyball community!
Ann Morrow
💚love you Heather!💚 #feldmanstrong #f_ckcancer
Amaya Rousseau
From RUVB with love!
Sonya Torres
In honor of Heather and her successes in spite of her illness. Praises going up on her remission. Also in honor of my aunt who has suffered with Leukemia for 7 years now and was given 5 years to live. Thankful to still have her here as well. Good luck Heather with your fund raising endeavors. You have a beautiful soul!
Catherine Gurnell
Heather, Your courage is AMAZING!!! Love, Cathy Gurnell
Carrie Gurnell
Tomorrow is gonna be a good day!
Emily Zalacca
Heather - you're an inspiration; love you & proud of what you're doing to help raise awareness!
Kacy O'Connor
Heather Feldman, coach of Gardner-Webb University is a strong strong STRONG human and my donation is to honor her and her strength!
Jennifer Polizzi
Good Luck!
Frances Feldman
love you granddaughter
Betty Elliott
Heather and my daughter Emily were teammates and roommates at Gardner-Webb. They are very different personalities but somehow became kindred spirits. I still remember the day Emily called me crying hysterically when she found out about Heather's diagnosis. We began praying for God's healing power for you, Heather. So happy to hear that you are in remission! May God continue to bless you with good health. You are an inspiration! Love, Betty
Brian, Michelle, and AJ Feldman
so proud of Heather and GWU volleyball for taking steps to end cancer forever-we love you!
Ruth A Stevens
You mean a lot to a lot of individuals! You are a great friend to my niece Carrie Gurnell and I want to support her in helping her friend and fellow coach! - Ruth
Lauren Morrow
Love you Heather!
MARK, DEBI & DEVIN JUDGE
God Bless you Heather Feldman and the Gardner Webb Family. We love you all! The Judge's
Starr Family
Heather Feldman.
DANIEL RUDICH
I believe this gets you to your goal and ensures Coach Sayles gets a pie in the face. We wish you all the best. Your are an inspiration. The Rudich Family
John Strempel
digging this way of sharing your story...you are a fighter, love you
Thomas and Jennifer Johnston
So grateful for your remission status and that you are back at GWU coaching! You are a shining example of courage, perserverence, and hope!
Aimee Calhoun
We are very proud of you Heather! You are a fighter and a winner. We love you very much!