Allie's fight: MSU softball player battling leukemia

Forget all the silly clichés in sports such as "fighting for their playoff lives" or "it's a do-or-die situation" and what not. Because the real-life situation is playing out for a Missouri State softball player.

Allie Alvstad, a sophomore catcher, was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Not only is she going through chemotherapy treatments, but Alvstad also is in need of a bone marrow transplant, said Missouri State softball coach Holly Hesse.

Alvstad's battle has generated overflowing support from teammates and fellow MSU students, who are selling orange wrist bands in support. The bands read "#Allie Strong," which also is the hashtag on Twitter. A Facebook page has been created called "Allie Alvstad's Journey."

Several softball teammates are cutting their hair and donating to cancer patients.

"That's the feel-good part of this story," Hesse said of the support, "because the rest of this really doesn't feel good at all."

The Facebook page and Missouri State athletics are accepting donations on Alvstad's behalf. Her family has medical coverage as she goes through treatments in Tulsa, Okla. But plans are to relocate her to a Houston, Texas hospital in hopes of a bone marrow transplant.

"Insurance pays only once," Hesse said of the transplant. "If it doesn't work, it won't for a second time."

Missouri State basketball player Keith Pickens over the weekend posted this on his Twitter account: "Much respect to @alliealvstad I will wear this orange band for as long as possible. Get well #Bearnation #alliestrong."

Students not even on athletic teams posted Twitter comments, or photos of the wrist bands. The men's basketball team gathered for a photo in support. "Thinking about @alliealvstad at today's game! "AllieStrong," wrote Kimberleigh Eng, a junior forward on the MSU field hockey team.

The Missouri State softball team posts photos every day, including one over the weekend with Alvstad's No. 48 jersey.

Alvstad showed home-run power as a freshman last season, leading Hesse to create a utility role for the Bixby, Okla., High School standout. This fall, Hesse hoped to move her into a catcher's role in order to capitalize on an everyday presence.

But after missing time last spring after being diagnosed with pneumonia, Alvstad's fall semester was cut short on Labor Day weekend. That's when she was diagnosed with leukemia, Hesse said.

"Our team is a very close team, and our players are very heavy-hearted with this," Hesse said. "What makes our team better is going out and talking to all the other teams about Allie. It is so nice to see all of the teams rally around this and support her."