FRANKSTON — Bailee Fleming had just graduated from Frankston ISD and was planning on studying nursing at UT-Tyler this fall.
However, after experiencing pain in her knees that persisted after softball season ended, she went to the doctor and learned she has osteosarcoma, a bone cancer.
Bailee’s aunt, Cheryl Craig, says that she is strong though.
“With all the supporters that she has especially her family and the outpouring of love from Frankston and everything that's being done for her and especially her faith in god she is going to get through this," Craig said.
Bailee started chemo therapy a week ago.
She was able to come home last Monday, but she had a fall and had to go back to Dallas to have surgery on her leg.
Bailee's family hopes she will be able to come home again this weekend.
"Then she'll have to continue her chemo for nine more weeks, followed up by another surgery to remove the tumor," Craig said. "And then after that followed up by another 29 more weeks of chemo."
But before Bailee comes home, the Frankston community came together Friday night at the football game to pray for her.
Her cousin Allie Ryan says that Bailee has a lot of friends in Frankston.
“I’m sure she’s very happy that everyone is like thinking about her and praying for her,” Ryan said.
T-shirts being sold as a fundraiser for Bailee were also passed out before the game with her favorite Bible verse on them. On the back is a simple, but profound phrase: ‘Bailee Strong.’
Bailee’s childhood friend, Abbie Ramsey, has been selling bracelets as well to raise money.
“They're yellow with the cross and Bailee or her nickname 'Bai' on it,” Ramsey said. “But we're selling those for like $5 and all the proceeds are going to her and her family."
So far about 400 t-shirts and 400 bracelets have been sold. Bailee's family says she's receiving lots of support.
Bailee is not alone in the Frankston community in the fight against cancer.
Sabrina Reynolds is also a Frankston graduate. She is now a teacher and is going through chemo for ovarian cancer.
"Well I messaged her the other day and just told her we were going to beat cancers butt," Reynolds remarked. "I just want to thank y'all for coming together and supporting people in need and just keep praying for us, keep praying for Bailee."