Dane Simmons went down hard during Jeannette High School's season opener against South Range High School on August 28, expecting, at worst, a bad hit. The Jeannette junior was carried off on a stretcher, and what initially appeared to be a spinal injury turned into a diagnosis nobody saw coming: B-cell leukemia.
The collision prompted concern about a possible spinal injury, according to WBAL Newsradio, and Simmons was transported to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh for evaluation. Doctors ultimately cleared him of any injuries related to the hit itself, but blood panels run during his stay uncovered something far more serious.
The injury also underscores the importance of careful evaluation after a head or spinal injury.
Simmons was diagnosed with B-cell leukemia, a discovery that shifted his focus to treatment.
Coaches Had Noticed Something Was Off
Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia can affect children and teenagers: bone marrow overcrowding can cause fatigue, sluggishness, or bone aching that young athletes and their coaches mistake for ordinary training exhaustion, according to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In Simmons's case, the emergency workup that followed the collision revealed the condition.
The Jayhawks program has rallied around Simmons quickly. He is out for the remainder of the season as he focuses on treatment. He surprised teammates at a Jayhawks practice after returning from the hospital, and the team has continued to support him.
A Shutout Win Dedicated to a Teammate
In their first game after Simmons's diagnosis, the Jayhawks won 33-0 over Southmoreland, then teammates presented him with the game ball, according to TribLive. Jeannette's close-knit football community has rallied around the player and his family.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and his wife, Dani, have visited UPMC Children's Hospital, according to CBS News.
Family Turns to Fundraising for Long Road Ahead
To help the family manage the costs of a multi-year treatment plan, Tammie Cutright started a GoFundMe campaign titled Help Dane Simmons Through Leukemia, aimed at supporting treatment, care at home, and family needs. The campaign page does not provide a discharge update.
Simmons's diagnosis has resonated with area families, adding local weight to a story about a young athlete and the challenges of serious illness.
What the Diagnosis Means Going Forward
B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common type of childhood leukemia, while acute lymphoblastic leukemia accounts for roughly 75% to 80% of childhood leukemia cases in the United States, according to the Leukemia Research Foundation. For families, treatment and prognosis remain central concerns.
National cancer statistics offer broader context for childhood leukemia.
The timing placed Simmons's diagnosis and hospital stay in September. For now, Simmons is focused on treatment, leaning on a team that has already dedicated a win to him and a community rallying behind a fundraiser meant to support his care.
