Oblong woman celebrated at hoops game

OBLONG, Ill (WTHI) - An Illinois town supporting one of its own, in her battle with a deadly disease.

High school hoops on a Friday night. In a small town like Oblong, it brings the entire community together; and if it weren't for Laura York, this game might have never been played.

"She's one of the first ones that started the sports boosters. There’s only two of the original sports boosters that started it in 1984 left,” York’s daughter Connie Meese said.

"Probably without the sports boosters we wouldn't have a lot of our sports here at oblong high school,” Oblong’s Men’s Varsity basketball coach, Brent Harper said.

Even beyond high school sports, York supports the entire Oblong community.

"She organizes farm gatherings. If someone has a farm breakdown and they need equipment, she'll organize that," Jeri Harris, a family friend said.

But late last year the two time cancer survivor got some devastating news. At an appointment about neck pain, doctors found much more.

"I went to my doctor that I’d always had for cancer since '98 and 2001 and he said, ‘it is cancer,’"
York said.

The disease would side-line the woman with the biggest heart in Oblong. But, even her third battle with the disease couldn't keep her out long.

"Laura comes to every sports event that's ever been held. She was having a bad week, and she was here last week at the games, “Harris said.

So Friday night, the community wrapped their biggest fan in a sea of pink. While they battled a local rival, while she begins the battle for her life.

"We are going to win tonight for her. That's my message to her. We're gonna win this game for her. Its gonna be big,” Harper said.

As the Oblong JV boys pulled off a come from behind victory, the school celebrated the biggest hero of the evening.

They presented her with pink roses and a plaque. To say thank you to the woman who has always given for them and asked nothing in return.

"I am a five year head coach here, this is probably one of the biggest nights we've had, since I began my career here,” Harper said.

As she begins another chapter in the biggest fight of her life, York had one message for her community.

"Well, I just love them all," York said.