Leukemia claims life of Pacers fan a day before Roy Hibbert can visit

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert spent the week praying that 12-year-old Lee Eddins could battle terminal leukemia long enough to allow for a face-to-face meeting.

But Lee's fight came to an end Thursday, just a day before his idol was going to surprise him with a home visit in Sacramento, Calif.

"I was very saddened and distraught," Hibbert said in an interview Thursday afternoon on CNN. "I want to keep his spirit and memory alive and be part of his cause." 

Hibbert was on the way to the Indianapolis airport when he was informed of Lee's death. The 7-footer still flew to California to meet Lee's family.

 Lee was diagnosed with stage four leukemia in February. He had an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant in June. An infection that started in Lee's left lung and eventually spread to his right lung prevented him from having a second transplant.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20120809/SPORTS04/120809038/Leukemia-claims-life-Pacers-fan-day-before-Roy-Hibbert-can-visit?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Indianapolis