Photos | Inova Visit Video

Between a full class load, daily practices, study hall, strength work and a myriad of other responsibilities, living as a Div. I college basketball student-athlete can be, at times, an overwhelming experience.
 
Minor irritations and setbacks can make molehills seem like mountains, and at times, some perspective can be greatly needed.
 
On Friday, that perspective came into focus for three members of the George Mason men's basketball team, who – along with head coach Dave Paulsen – visited patients on the oncology floor at Inova Children's Hospital in Falls Church.
 
The Patriots met with nine children who are battling a series of life-threatening conditions and are fighting while doing chemotherapy and other heavily invasive procedures. The kids ranged in age from infancy to 17.
 
Despite the incredible life burdens of the patients, Mason's student-athletes couldn't help but be taken aback by their dispositions and daily outlooks.
 
"Through everything, they're still so positive about life," senior guard Jaire Grayer said. "It's amazing how you can go through something so difficult and still be so upbeat. They're joyful and laughing. Their character and how they carry themselves is so impressive. The positivity is amazing."
 
In each room, the Mason crew visited with patients and their families, talked sports and encouraged them to attend a game at EagleBank Arena once they were feeling better. The Patriots brought along Mason shirts, hats and other gear for the patients as well.
 
The student-athletes heard stories of success, like a patient who was in her last round of chemotherapy, or the infant who was diagnosed within seven hours of being born and miraculously given a second chance at life by the world-renowned doctors at the facility.
 
Other outlooks were not as good, and for the parents and children in those rooms, something as simple as a visit from basketball student-athletes provided a small positive over the course of a day.
 
"Any chance I get, I want to visit here again or do something like this in the community," freshman guard Jamal Hartwell II said. "You could tell how uplifted the families were by our visit. It makes me feel better too. You never know – I could be in that situation one day and I would like it if someone came and visited me and supported me."
 
For redshirt-junior Jarred Reuter, who did similar work in Charlottesville during his career at the University of Virginia, the visits are often one of the highlights of his year.
 
"They put a smile on our face more than we put a smile on theirs," Reuter said. "Even with the worst life circumstances they're still happy and cheerful."
 
All three student-athletes remarked about how the visit makes the problems they experience in life seem trivial. And moving forward, they won't be as likely to dwell on the small things.
 
"I'm definitely guilty of wallowing. If I have a bad practice or a bad game, I dwell on it," Reuter said. "I'm not as happy as I could be because I'm looking back on things. That will definitely change after today."