Sylvia Hatchell was diagnosed in October 2013 with leukemia.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell has completed her chemotherapy treatments for leukemia and is back to her normal schedule involving recruiting, speaking engagements and running the program.
“I’m happy to report that coach Hatchell has completed chemotherapy for her acute myeloid leukemia,” said Dr. Pete Voorhees, associate professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“She remained courageous and strong throughout the course of treatment, which allowed her to exceed all expectations. Her disease is in complete remission, and we remain highly optimistic about her future.
“Coach Hatchell will be back for the upcoming season, and I expect that her experience over the last many months, as difficult as it was, will only make her a stronger person and coach."
In recent weeks, Hatchell’s calendar has been filled with recruiting visits up-and-down the east coast, while also attending a handful of The Rams Club Tar Heel Tour events in Greensboro, Charlotte and Raleigh.
“There is no question its been a tough last seven months since being diagnosed with leukemia back in October,” Hatchell said. “But through it all this has only made me stronger. My mental toughness has increased ten-fold. Trust me if you can get through chemo, you can pretty much go through anything.”
Hatchell was diagnosed in mid-October 2013 with leukemia and went through a series of treatments that lasted into March. Her strength and energy level, and not to mention her hair, is returning to the form that led her into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
“I’m excited about the future of our program," Hatchell said. "Stepping away from the sidelines has helped me see the game from a different angle. I will be more in tune than ever with the ingredients of what our players and program need to be successful.
“I’m looking forward to summer camps starting up soon in Carmichael Arena, continuing recruiting the top players in the country and starting back summer workouts with our players.”
