Dawn Staley & Her Family Rallied to Help Her Sister After a Cancer Diagnosis

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steph Dwilson | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 2:43 PM ET

Dawn Staley's family has played a big role in her life. The Gamecocks women's basketball head coach says her parents helped shape who she is today. And when one of her siblings — sister Tracey — was in need, Staley mobilized her family to help.

Staley's parents, Clarence and Estelle, had five children, according to The State: Lawrence Staley, Anthony Staley, Tracey Staley Underwood, and Eric Staley.

In March 2020, Staley's sister started developing some troubling health symptoms. She was constantly fatigued and had a persistent cough. As her condition worsened, she went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with leukemia, AP reported in 2021.

Tracey was determined to cure her illness, and Staley was determined to help her sister however she could.

Staley talked to friends, colleagues and family about the disease, determined to get her sister the best care, AP reported.

"I called everybody in America," she recalled.

Ultimately, Underwood needed a bone marrow transplant. Their brother Lawrence Staley was a 10/10 match, and Dawn Staley was a 5/10 match, AP reported. He donated his stem cells to his sister, who had already undergone two rounds of chemotherapy. She went through three more rounds after the stem cell transplant.

With the help of family, Underwood made a full recovery. She and Staley began focusing on encouraging others to sign up for bone marrow registries.

In 2024, Staley was recognized for her contributions to women's sports and her leadership in fighting cancer, UVA Today reported. She was the 2024 recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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