Skip to content

Carl Albert senior returns to soccer field after beating cancer

Brooklyn Hawkins passes to a teammate April 20 during a senior night game against El Reno. Photo by Jeff Harrison

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Brooklyn Hawkins isn’t taking anything for granted.

Just two days after announcing that she was cancer free, the Carl Albert senior was back on the field with her teammates as they celebrated senior night.

“Ringing the bell two days before my senior night and then getting the opportunity to actually play on senior night is pretty amazing,” she said. “Being able to announce that I’m cancer free and then being rewarded by being able to play with my teammates is very rewarding.”

Hawkins played several minutes in a 6-0 win over El Reno. After the game, she was joined by her senior teammates during the senior night ceremony.

Stepping back on the field seemed impossible just months ago. Hawkins knew something was wrong as she struggled to keep pace in competitive soccer. In October, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and soon started chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

The long road ended earlier this year. She finished chemotherapy in January and radiation in March just as the soccer season began. Hawkins has been trying to recover and return to the field. She played briefly in recent games. But playing on senior night was special.

“Being around my teammates helps a lot because any progress I make everyone is super supportive and understanding,” she said. “The fact that I’m even running around is just a miracle.”

Hawkins has tried to stay positive throughout the process, relying on her faith and supportive family and friends.

“None of my plans really ended up the way I expected but I think everything turned out for the best,” she said. “I know God had a plan for me and this was all a part of his plan.”

Hawkins wanted to play soccer in college but had to make different plans.

“I do have a plan for my new college experience and it’s going to look a lot different,” she said. “But I think I’m better off that way.”

In the meantime, Hawkins is going to enjoy every last minute of her high school soccer career and time with her teammates.

Brooklyn Hawkins was honored with her family during Carl Albert’s senior night soccer game on April 20. Photo by Jeff Harrison

 

Leave a Comment