Elijah Randolph: An Unlikely Diagnosis, Uno and Basketball
How 13-year-old Elijah Randolph’s cancer journey has inspired others along the way
In 1993, legendary coach and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Jim Valvano stepped onto the stage at the inaugural ESPYS and delivered a message that has echoed for decades. In the thick of his own journey with cancer, he reminded us, “Don’t Give Up . . . Don’t Ever Give Up!”® Today, his words continue to motivate and inspire many others facing cancer.
For the Randolph family, it served as a motivational rallying cry through Elijah’s journey with childhood cancer.
“That speech just had a big impact on me and my family,” Elijah said.
The Diagnosis: “A Gut Punch”
In 2023, Elijah was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer, Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN). The diagnosis was shocking, not just because of the severity, but also because it is extremely uncommon in children. In fact, Elijah seems to be the first known pediatric case of BPDCN recorded in the state of Connecticut.
“It’s found in men 60-75 years old,” Elijah said. “It’s very rare in children, and I was 10 when I was diagnosed.”
“It was a gut punch,” Elijah’s dad, Carl Randolph, said. “I had to ask the doctor, ‘are you saying what I think you’re saying?’”
The Randolph family did not know what to expect, but they drew inspiration from their faith, friends and each other, taking a mind over matter mindset.
“At first, I was very nervous and afraid of the word cancer because everybody that hears the word cancer thinks it’s an immediate death sentence, and it’s really not what it is,” Elijah said.
The Mayor of the Eighth Floor
Elijah spent 23 consecutive days in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy. Despite the difficult circumstances, Elijah’s bright personality continued to shine. He commonly pulled up a chair to the nurses’ station, socializing, sharing snacks, and playing board games. Elijah quickly became known as “Mayor of the Eighth Floor” while hanging out on the unit.
While walking the halls, Elijah had a constant companion – his IV pole he was always hooked up to, which he named “Bartholomew Tequavion Octavious III”. Just one way Elijah kept his spirits up throughout his stay.
“You just have to keep fighting through it every day,” Elijah said. “You have to keep a positive mindset. And that’s what I’ve done for the past two and a half years.”
Uno and Basketball
During his stay at the hospital, Elijah met Andrea Hurley, wife of UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley. He and Mrs. Hurley quickly became friends, spending time together and regularly playing Uno. One afternoon, Elijah made a bet over a game of Uno: if he won, she had to take him to the Final Four if UConn made it.
Elijah won the game, but never expected Mrs. Hurley to follow through.
Fast-forward a few months, just two days before the Final Four, Elijah got a phone call.
“She [Mrs. Hurley] calls to tell us that you better pack your bags because we’re going to Arizona,” Elijah said.
Part of the Team
The trip to Arizona was only the beginning.
After watching the Huskies cut down the nets and capture the 2024 National Championship, Elijah was hooked. Previously someone who never cared about sports, Elijah was welcomed into the team with open arms. Now, he has a newfound passion in basketball.
I’ll tell you something, it’s changed him completely as a person,” Carl said of his son. “When these guys adopted him and took him in, it opened a whole new world for him.”
“This guy’s been with us through it all,” UConn point guard Solo Ball said. “He’s been with us through thick and thin. Ever since my freshman year, he is always around and he definitely motivates us every day… I mean, just having him in our corner has been everything for us.”
The impact of the relationship has extended beyond the court. UConn players and coaches both act as a support system for Elijah, challenging him to do his best in the classroom as well. Carl notes it’s like having “12 other parents” watching over Elijah.
Making a Difference
Cancer binds all of us, because likely all of us have had a loved one impacted by the disease. It can also inspire us to do our best in honor of the ones we love.
“I’ve actually had a direct relationship to cancer in my family,” Ball said. “My mom had it when I was in middle school, and it was actually a pretty tough experience to go through. I was really emotional about it [but it] made me work harder every single day. And then having Elijah be a part of our family too, it just gives me even more motivation.”
This year, as UConn faces Florida in a marquee matchup at the 2025 Jimmy V Classic, Elijah may not be in attendance, but he’ll be watching and cheering on the Huskies. And he’ll know that whatever happens on the court, the lasting impact of fundraising for game-changing cancer research will make a difference in the lives of families faced with cancer in the future.
“I think that there’s not enough research that is going on, especially my type of cancer that I was diagnosed with two years ago,” Elijah said. “That’s where the V Foundation comes in. I’m just extremely grateful for what the V Foundation has done on behalf of people like me that have gone through what I’ve gone through.”
