Swimming & Diving head coach Andy Bashor, who is now in his 10th year with Buffalo, announced the singing of 5-year-old Eliana “Ellie” Goldman to a National Letter of Intent on Friday afternoon. Ellie was matched with the swimming and diving program through the organization Team IMPACT, which is a non-profit organization that helps children with life-threatening or chronic illnesses become a part of something bigger.
Ellie is a five-year old from Clarence, NY who was diagnosed with the most severe kind of cystic fibrosis at birth. Cystic fibrosis is a disorder that damages the lungs and digestive system. It affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices. It causes these fluid to become thick and sticky; they then plug up tubes, ducts, and passageways. Symptoms can vary and can include cough, repeated lung infections, and an inability to gain weight. Ellie take multiple medications each day and has to do a “jiggle vest” which breaks up the fluid in her body twice a day, starting at 5am. Ellie has two older sisters: Bella, age 6, and Bailee, age nine.
Ellie is excited to be a part of the UB Swimming & Diving team. She is bound to be an inspiration for her new team.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit 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 on to college athletic teams, local to where they live and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to collegiate team-based support in order to significantly enhance their quality of life in a number of ways, including; socially, psychologically, physically and academically. Team IMPACT also strives to provide collegiate teams with increased levels of awareness, sympathy and support for the medial and disease communities. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 950 children with collegiate teams, at over 450 institutions in 45 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 25,000 student athletes.
Courtesy of Buffalo Athletics
It´s been a great experience with all of you girls, i love you all and hope to see you all again!
Hear, hear!
So proud of my former age group swimmer Coach Andy Bashor, UB Swimming, UB Athletics & UB Administration for getting involved in such a worthwhile organization and program.
Here’s hoping for a long unsuccessful tenure for Elle with the UB Buffalos