WNBA's Katie Douglas fought her way back

But Friday, when Indiana took on the Dream in one of the final games of the WNBA's Breast Health Awareness week, her thoughts were consumed by another.

She thought about the 10 days she spent in an Indianapolis hospital before her mother died of breast cancer on April 28, 2000.

“I was only 20,” she said. “I told my mom that I was not going to graduate, that I didn’t think it was important. I told her I didn’t know if I would play basketball again. And I’ll always remember the look she gave me when I threw those ideas out there.”

It is not just that Douglas cannot forget those memories. She cherishes them. For the 31-year-old, they are all she has left to remember her parents.

Douglas’ father died of pancreatic cancer in 1997 before her mother’s death three years later.

And though neither Ken nor Karen Douglas ever saw their daughter in her Fever uniform, she is now using that platform as one of the most vocal proponents of cancer awareness in the WNBA.

“She wanted to turn off her life,” said Kimberly Rastrelli, her older sister. “She was very angry, as we all were. But I said that’s not up for negotiation."

After losing both parents before the age of 21, Douglas relied on her three siblings, her Purdue teammates and coach for support. It was only a matter of time before she put on her shoes and escaped to the basketball court.

She found that the organized chaos on the floor provided her mind with just what she needed — quiet. It began a healing process that continued for years.

“I’ve been working with dealing with that emotionally and mentally, finding my way in life,” she said. “It’s not what I thought I’d be doing at age 20, picking myself back up and putting the pieces together.”

Where she finds herself today is as one of the star guards in women’s professional basketball. And whereas basketball had once been her refuge, it has now become a platform.

She has been involved in several health outreach efforts by the WNBA and hopes to expand efforts to raise money and awareness after her playing career winds down.

“I’ve had so many people come up to me and say great things,” Douglas said. “I think generally what sticks with me is a simple thank you. Thank you for sharing my story, for being a spokesperson using the WNBA as a platform, for having my voice heard.”

She said she remains grateful for the opportunities basketball has allowed her. When Rastrelli looks at her sister, she  remembers shaking her head and watching Douglas promise their mother she would continue her basketball career.

Now it is the older sister who said she looks to her younger sister for support and strength.

“I’m grateful for being alive and for having put myself together,” Douglas said, “for building myself nice and strong.”