OKLAHOMA CITY – When Camryn Armes from the Mid-America Christian women’s basketball team went to a doctor in July to check out a mass discovered on her ribs, the sophomore guard was anticipating that it would be a simple procedure and she’d be able to make a recovery in-time to compete during the 2023-24 season.
On Aug. 18, she had a biopsy to inspect the mass…five days later, the Gruver, Texas native found out the news that no one ever wants to hear from their doctor…the mass was a cancerous tumor.
Armes was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that is found in bones or soft tissue surrounding bones, such as cartilage. It is a disease that affects roughly 200 people in the United States per year.
On Sept. 21, Armes was successfully able to get the tumor removed and in October, she began going through chemotherapy treatments. Armes knew she had a long battle ahead of her, needing to do 14 rounds of chemotherapy every two weeks, keeping her from partaking in team activities. However, while Armes may not have been able to be with the team, the team has been vigilant, trying to do everything in its power to support Armes. To help raise money for Armes’ medical bills, the team sold t-shirts to show its solidarity and support in supporting Armes.
The sales of the t-shirts were an incredible success…so much so, that the t-shirts sold out within days and even teams from opposing institutions from within the Sooner Athletic Conference purchased the shirts to help show their support for Armes’ battle against cancer.
However, the Evangels realized they had another great chance to support their teammate. On the first night of the 3
rdAnnual MACU Classic on Nov. 10, the Evangels would dedicate the night to Armes and use it to raise money for her treatments, calling it “CLAim Victory Night,” as the Evangels would face off against Bellevue in the event.
Attending her first MACU basketball game since her diagnosis, the team presented Armes with a gift of Nike Air Force Ones customized for her and her battle against cancer before the start of the game.
After a nail-biting first quarter where the Evangels held a 15-13 lead over the Bruins, Mid-America Christian played inspired basketball in the second and third quarters, outscoring BU by an astounding 62-12 to take a 77-25 lead at the end of that third period. It was during that third quarter an idea popped into the mind of eighth-year MACU head coach Hannah Moeller.
“Coach Moeller came to me during the third quarter and proposed to me the idea of entering the game with a minute left,” stated Armes. “I was nervous about it at first and wanted to do it, but I was getting a ton of support from my coaches and teammates, it gave me the courage to do it.”
After going to the locker room to dawn the red-and-white once again, Armes would get her chance to shine. With exactly 1:07 remaining in the contest, Armes reported to the scorer’s table and checked into the game. Despite not practicing in the last several months since her diagnosis, Armes shined just 20 seconds after checking in as she buried a three from the left corner. Ultimately, Armes finished the contest with five points, including scoring the final bucket to wrap up a 101-41 victory.
“It was so surreal,” Armes remarked. “It was incredible going back to watch the video of it after the fact and seeing so many students and fans cheering me on in that moment. It’s a moment in my life that I will never forget.”
"CLAim Victory Night was as special of an evening as I have ever experienced in sports,” stated Coach Moeller. “I am so thankful to the MACU community for wrapping their arms around Cam, our team, and the event with such incredible support. The Lord has been doing incredible things through Cam and her story, and for one night in November, He used our team and the great game of basketball to shine the light of the Gospel. Cam is an amazing young woman and we ask you would continue praying for her throughout this long process."
Not only was the CLAim Victory Night a success for the MACU women’s basketball team, but the MACU Athletic Department is proud to announce it raised more than $6000 in that night alone for Armes’ cancer treatment.
“I’d like to thank Coach Moeller, my team, and MACU as a whole for the support they’ve provided me and my family through all this,” stated Armes while also providing a message to others going through cancer. “If I can say one thing to anyone going through what I am currently going through, I’d tell them to not let cancer defeat them. God always has a plan and He will always be there every step of the way to help you get through it.”