Courtesy of Cailin Joyce/Instagram
OSU Club Dance Team Member Dies at 19 After Battle With Rare Blood Disorder
The Ohio State University dance team announced that team member Cailin Joyce died at the age of 19 following her battle with a rare blood disorder.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share that our beloved Cailin Joyce has passed away. Our team is devastated and deeply grieving this loss,” the team wrote in an Instagram post shared on Sunday, December 7.
In the post, Joyce was described as “the heartbeat of CDT.”
“She embodied everything that our team represented. She was kind, humble, determined, loyal and oh so funny. She danced with a fire behind her eyes and a passion that could move mountains,” the post read. “She made everyone around her better. Her full out love for life was contagious. Everyone that crossed paths with Cailin knew that she was special.”
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The post added that the current dance season, as well as the legacy of the program, will be dedicated to Joyce. “May all who know CDT know your impact. We will carry on your memory with every breath we take,” the team stated. “Thank you for changing our lives. Our forever friend, teammate and guardian angel. We know you are dancing full out in Heaven and we can’t wait to dance with you again one day.”
The post – which included a photo of Joyce performing in her team uniform – concluded with a quote from Wicked, which read, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
In a GoFundMe page set up by a friend, it was revealed that Joyce underwent “extensive monitoring, testing and treatment at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.” She was eventually diagnosed with a rare blood disorder caused by EBV, which is also known as the mononucleosis virus.
“Due to the nature of the treatment, it has left her immune system compromised, her organs with extreme inflammation resulting in her body retaining a ton of fluid. This has brought many additional challenges,” the GoFundMe page read.
The post went on to state that Joyce was “unable to do simple tasks that many healthy individuals take for granted,” such as “hugging people, going outside, taking a hot shower and being around people.”
“She fatigues quickly making it hard for her to walk short distances. Things like living in the dorms, dining in dining halls, going to OSU football games, going to in person classes, going to Mass the the Newman Center and even dancing are all things she hasn’t been able to do,” the post stated. “For as much as she is suffering, she remains strong through the help of Jesus Christ.”
According to Joyce’s obituary, she died on December 4. Her obituary explained that she “lived life to the fullest and was a light to so many in her far too short life.”
“She lived her Catholic faith and shared it with many. Not by pushing, but by attracting them through her bright bright light. A saint among us, Cailin moved mountains with her fight and going ‘full out,’” the obituary continued. “The purest soul and loving sister to older brother Sean. Always supporting him in the stands and giving the biggest hugs. She is now a guardian angel to us. Cailin is now dancing in heaven and her love will never fade. No more pain and suffering, just love.”
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