BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Belleville student athlete Gabby Orlet received the 2024 Jersey Mike’s NAISMITH High School Basketball Courage Award for her brave fight against a rare and inoperable form of cancer.
Jersey Mike’s believed that Orlet’s story stood out among the hundreds of inspirational athlete stories nationwide, honoring her before her soccer game Monday evening.
Orlet received a $2,000 check from Jersey Mike’s, which is also donating $2,000 to her school’s athletic department.
“I’ve been doing chemo for about two years now. You know it’s rough, but you get through it. I have a great foundation and a great support system to help me get through that. That’s definitely a big part of why I’m here and a big part of this award in general,” Orlet said. “I didn’t do it alone and I’ve never done anything in this journey alone so I’m grateful for everything that I have.”
Four doctors discovered a cancerous tumor wrapped around Orlet’s vertebrae in April 2021 when she was being treated for a fracture. Doctors thought she would never play sports again.
“She’s been competitive since she could walk. She’s the youngest of four, and that makes her competitive. All of her older siblings played sports. And I think she just hates to lose. She’s not going to let anything beat her,” Gabby’s mom, Lisa Orlet, said. “Since she was in 3rd grade (or) 4th grade, when I coached college, (she) envisioned herself playing in the college arena in some capacity and that’s her motivation.”
Just months after being diagnosed, Orlet continued to participate in basketball, volleyball and soccer while enduring chemotherapy and undergoing extensive surgeries. Her coaches admire her courageous spirit.
“She’s a great leader on the team. The girls look up to her. Athletically, she’s just gifted. Both physically and intellectually. She’s a very, very smart player,” Bruce Romine, girls basketball head coach at Althoff Catholic High School, said.
Several believe Orlet’s courage shows she deserves this award because she doesn’t let her diagnosis stop her from living her life to the fullest.
“Her story is just incredible to me and like I said, I admire her. We all admire her,” Kathy Wuller, athletic director, said. “She’s an inspiration to all of the young kids. And so anyway, she just fit the bill.”
Orlet is continuing to receive maintenance treatment once a month indefinitely until a cure is found.