During the spring semester, Piedmont women’s tennis student-athlete Anna Lassiter began feeling fatigued in the early weeks of practice leading up to the season. On February 5, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
The senior from Winder spent a month at Emory Hospital undergoing treatment before her cancer went into remission.
In April, Lassiter’s teammates and the larger Piedmont family stepped up to support her. Now, just a few months later, her progress has been remarkable.
Triumphant return
“The past few months have been very good to me,” she says. “I dealt with some hospitalizations in the middle of the year, which resulted in me finding out I was finishing chemo early in July. This was a huge day for me because it was the day I was looking forward to for so many months.”
That day, Lassiter knew she would be able to return to Piedmont to finish her last semester in person. In August, not only did she return to school, but doctors cleared her to return to the tennis court, as well.
“At first, it was a huge adjustment juggling doctors appointments, class, tennis, and any other obligations I had. But at the end of the day, I always try my hardest to remind myself that I am so lucky to be where I am, and these are the moments I missed when I was going through treatment,” she says.
“Being back on the court has been so fun and surreal to me because if you told me at the beginning of the year that I would be back at school playing tennis in August, I would not have believed you,” adds Lassiter. “I just try to focus on being grateful, having fun, and cherishing these moments.”
Together with her doubles partner, Lizzie Ivey, Lassiter won her first match back at the Piedmont Invitational in September.
“Last semester, I missed Anna on and off the court. I was ecstatic to have my doubles partner back!” Ivey says.
Piedmont University’s Head Tennis Coach Trey Martin calls watching Lassiter overcome so much adversity “one of the most memorable moments” in his coaching career.
“People can read the story and think how hard it must be, but seeing it firsthand, I don’t know how she does it. I keep telling her weekly that the results on the court don’t matter. The fact that you are back on the court, cancer-free, wearing the Piedmont uniform is already the win,” he says.
Senior Day make up
“When she told me last spring that she wanted to come back to play tennis, I knew she was going to find a way to make it happen,” says Ivey. “She put her mind to it, and she made her return to tennis.”
Due to her illness, Lassiter missed her Senior Day last spring. Her coach and teammates recently made up for it in a special way with her own Senior Day.
“The whole time I am speaking about her on Senior Day, I am just trying to not cry and I know I can’t look at her and or any of the other girls on the team because I knew they were crying. If I am going to be honest, I am not sure after she got her conference championship ring there was a dry eye in the tennis complex.
Ring the bell
Outside of her return to tennis, Lassiter still plans to accomplish her goal of graduating this December in just three and a half years. However, in her quest to return to campus, she was never able to ‘ring the bell’ to celebrate the completion of her cancer treatment.
On October 21, Piedmont’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, John Delf-Montgomery, was able to organize a surprise event for Anna to ‘ring the bell’ in the weight room with her teammates and over 100 Piedmont student-athletes on hand to show love and support.
RING THE BELL! 🔔🔔🔔
Anna Lassiter never had the chance to ring the bell upon the completion of her cancer treatment, so Monday, Piedmont gave her that opportunity in front of some of her biggest fans! pic.twitter.com/3JY0AKzMVz
— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) October 22, 2024
Lassiter credits her advisors and teachers with helping her graduate by allowing her to complete her classes online during the spring and summer semesters.
“If I was ever not doing well, they were always very lenient and kind enough to allow me the time I needed until I could finish the assignments. I am very lucky to have had such great teachers. I would not have been able to finish either semester without the help and support of my advisor and teachers.”
As she looks ahead to completing her degree in history and government, Lassiter gives equal praise to her teammates and coaches.
“I am so thankful to my coaches for not putting any pressure on me and allowing me to go at my own pace, and being understanding if I am not at peak physical performance.” She adds, “My teammates are my best friends, and they have always been my support system. Survivorship is a weird and confusing time, and they are always so supportive of me if I ever need to talk about it or need that extra support.”
Her next chapter
Although she has finished chemo and her cancer is in remission, doctor’s appointments are still part of Lassiter’s life. She’ll continue with monthly labs and oncology appointments for the next several years.
“After five years, if I am still in remission, I will be considered to be cured,” she says. “For now, I am taking it day by day and not taking any days for granted. I try to fill my days with as much laughter and fun as possible.”
After graduation, Lassiter plans to move to Atlanta, where she will try to find a job in the court system or a law office.
“I also really want to get a cat,” she says.
While she will miss her time at Piedmont, Lassiter says she is “extremely excited” about this next chapter of her life. When she leaves, she will leave behind a lasting legacy.
“Honestly, as a coach, how our team responded to this and the support they showed, Anna made me prouder than any conference championship we have won so far,” says Coach Martin. Ivey echoes that sentiment.
“Anna has taught me that even on your worst days, there is always something worth being grateful for. She has been a constant reminder to me that the little things in life can be the most meaningful and to hug your friends tight!
