Three-time USA Diving Junior National Champion and UNC senior Emily Grund has been diagnosed with leukemia.
“About 96 hours ago, I received some news that changed the course of my life forever,” she shared to social media on September 12th.
“‘You have Cancer,’ those three words have caused a whirlwind of emotions and feelings and they have had such an impact on my life already.”
“The immediate focus: 30 days in the hospital receiving chemotherapy, and 29 weeks out patient monitoring.”
At the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, Grund and her diving partner Hailey Hernandez finished 4th in the 3-meter synchronized springboard event.
She has represented Team USA at the Junior Pan American Championships in 2011, 2013, 2015 and at the FINA Junior World Diving Championships in 2014.
Grund’s post was met by an outpour of support from the swimming and diving community, especially college teams:
If rikako can you can
Check out her Instagram site as of today. Very good news.
So cool that so many teams are supporting her.
Praying!!! Stay strong ❤️
I am emotional in seeing all of these teams rally behind Emily. Adding my prayers to the thousands already lifted up. S&D Community is the best!
You will be fine may God listen to our prayers
Many prayers 🙏🏼🙏🏼 You got this Emily!