Auburn coaches provide message of hope for fan during cancer treatment
Every once in a while, members of the Auburn family are reminded of what they’re a part of.
There are so many things that make Auburn University and the city unique, but when it’s all said and done, the mantra of ”family” always seems to rise to the top. Regardless of where you’re from or how long you’ve been connected to Auburn, it tends to unify people when something significant is on the line.
If you love Auburn, Auburn will love you back. Carnell Williams wasn’t the first, and won’t be the last, to say that.
The most current reminder? Brittany Dyche Harvey and her family.
In December 2022, Brittany was diagnosed with stage-four medium-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma, a type of kidney cancer. She is having surgery on Friday, January 20th, to remove her kidney, tumor, adrenal glands and a lymph node. Following surgery, Brittany will start immunotherapy to attempt to remove any remaining cells.
Chad Dyche, Brittany’s younger brother and a 2021 Auburn graduate, wanted to make sure that she is in as many people’s prayers as possible. How? By reaching out to Hugh Freeze, Bruce Pearl and Butch Thompson.
“I just think it’s awesome how- like I said, I am a die-hard Auburn fan- we just have men like that leading our programs,” Dyche told Auburn Live on Wednesday afternoon. “I don’t think we could ask for better leaders of our athletic programs.”
When Dyche reached out to the three coaches and other staff members, he simply asked for them to keep Brittany in their prayers. When he mentioned the idea of them sending some sort of video of encouragement, he didn’t expect much. With their busy schedules, Dyche wasn’t sure if he’d get any responses.
He did, though. All three coaches responded within 48 hours. Now, they have now reached even more people who are praying for Brittany and her family.
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“I just thought it would be something cool,” Dyche said. “I also knew, from a faith standpoint and what they believe in, I knew they’re similar to me…”
Brittany, 32, has two older sisters and two younger brothers. Caleb Dyche is currently a junior at Auburn and the youngest sibling. Though they lived in Mississippi for some time and grew up Ole Miss fans, the Dyche family converted to Auburn when Chad Dyche began to attend. She is married to Joel Harvey and has an eight-year old daughter, Harper, who is one of seven of their nieces and nephews.
“… This isn’t just my ride,” Brittany said in her Facebook post announcing her diagnosis. “My people have hopped on it with me to carry me if I get down.”
As Brittany heads into surgery on Friday morning, she knows that the entire Auburn family is praying for her recovery.
