When the photo of LeBron James embracing 12-year-old Sarah Martinez went viral, everyone thought they knew the story: a basketball superstar fulfilling the wish of a dying young girl. But they were wrong. The true reason behind this embrace would change thousands of lives and remind the world that true champions are not measured by the trophies they win, but by the hearts they touch.

This is the story of Sarah Martinez, a girl who loved basketball more than anything, and how her final shot became a first chance for countless others.

The basketball bounced in the driveway with a dull thud as Sarah Martinez practiced her shots. The morning sun cast long shadows over the small family house in Cleveland, Ohio. She had been up since 6 a.m., as she did every morning, wearing her treasured LeBron James Lakers jersey.

Elena, Sarah’s mother, couldn’t sleep that night. Dr. Thompson’s words echoed in her head: “We need to run more tests. The blood work shows worrying signs.” Elena turned over in bed, trying not to think about the bruises she had noticed on Sarah’s arms or the fatigue her energetic daughter had been feeling lately.

The next morning, Elena called in sick to both of her jobs for the first time in three years. Ruby, at the restaurant, immediately understood, but the grocery store manager was less sympathetic. Elena couldn’t care less at the moment. Sarah was still sleeping, which was unlike her. Usually, the sound of her basketball hitting the driveway would wake Elena before sunrise.

Elena forced a smile and watched Sarah pull off a complicated dribble between her legs. “That’s amazing, Miha,” she said, but her mind raced. Should she tell Sarah now? Should she wait for Dr. Thompson’s help? Should they cancel the tickets for the game?

At school, Sarah’s friends were eager to attend the Lakers game, but Sarah felt a twinge of anxiety. What if she couldn’t go? What if her condition worsened? She tried to push these thoughts away, focusing on her to-do list.

That evening, Elena took Sarah to the hospital for an exam. Dr. Thompson’s face was serious, and Elena’s heart tightened. “The tests show that you’re really sick,” he said softly. “It’s leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood.”

Sarah felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. She had never backed down from anything in her life, and she wasn’t about to start now. She thought about her to-do list, about making a difference, and about beating cancer.

The following days passed in a whirlwind of tests and treatments. Sarah’s infection was improving, but she still felt weak. The Lakers game was in a week, and even though she tried not to think about it, every time she saw the purple bandanas that the hospital staff had started wearing, her heart tightened a little.

Maria, Sarah’s best friend, visited her every day to give her updates about the banner and fundraising efforts. She never mentioned how Sarah looked worse, only talking about normal things like homework and basketball games.

One evening, Dr. Thompson arrived with new test results. Sarah saw his face and knew it wasn’t good news. “The infection is affecting your immune system,” he explained. “Being in a crowded place right now would be very risky.”

Sarah felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room again. She knew this could happen, she had felt it coming, but hearing it made it real.

That night, Sarah couldn’t sleep. She thought about everything that had happened, everything that was going to happen. She thought about the Lakers game, the giant banner, and all the people following her story online.

The next morning, a package arrived from Los Angeles. Inside was a brand new Lakers jersey, not just any jersey, but one with Sarah’s name on the back and LeBron’s number. A note accompanied it: “Keep fighting, champion. LJ.”

Sarah held the jersey close to her chest, inhaling the scent of the fresh fabric. It was the perfect size, not too big like her old one. How did they know?

Other mysterious things started happening. The physical therapy room was suddenly decorated with new Lakers posters. The basketball hoop in the hospital’s recreation room had received a fresh coat of purple and gold paint. Even Mr. Wilson, the grumpy janitor, was wearing a Lakers cap.

Sarah’s mother had been acting strangely too. She was quieter than usual, but her eyes sparkled. “What’s going on, Mom?” Sarah asked, but her mother simply smiled and said, “Let’s take your temperature and rest for a bit. Tomorrow is a big day.”

That night, Sarah couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking about all the strange things that had happened. Maria was being secretive.