AUBURN, Ala. – Sharing laughs, hugs and smiles, Sarah DeFalco reconnected with her Auburn University Marching Band mates before they took the field Saturday at the Tennessee game.
"It feels so great," she said. "The energy in Auburn is unlike anywhere else. It's such a family, especially now more than ever. It just overwhelmingly feels like everyone has been a huge family to me. I'm so happy to be back."
Sarah DeFalco, left, in blue dress, watches the Auburn University Marching Band. Photo: Anthony Hall/Auburn Athletics
A piccolo player, Sarah participated in the band as a freshman and sophomore during the 2016-17 football seasons.
"My favorite part is the community of people you get to become friends with," she said. "You're working every single day and all day Saturday for the same goal. Being able to perform in front of such an excited audience, unlike a lot of places.
"It feels like everyone loves to watch the band here, which you don't get everywhere. Pregame is definitely my favorite thing that we do. It's unlike any other school. It's so precise. The stands are packed before the game even starts. That is probably one of the best feelings."
Feeling fatigued midway through the spring 2018 semester, Sarah went to the Auburn University Medical Clinic. Bloodwork revealed abnormalities, and a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
"After that, I ended up getting really sick because I didn't have any immune system, so I spent about 40 days in the hospital," she said. "My lung collapsed. I had pneumonia for four months. That was one of the hardest parts to go through, not even leukemia but just all of the side effects from the chemo.
"Now I'm feeling really good and have everything under control. I have three more months of intense treatment and then two years of more mild treatment, then hopefully after that I'll be done with my treatment."
Auburn fans might see Sarah in the marching band again next season.
"I have some work to do," she said. "It takes a lot of stamina to get out there and do that. I hope to next fall be able to join this."
Inspired by Sarah's story, the Auburn University Marching Band dedicated Saturday's halftime show to cancer survivors, partnering with men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl and the AUTLIVE cancer program.
"Incredibly supported to know that not only the band staff but also people in other parts of campus that I didn't even know before all of this wanted to lift me up and support me in such a major way," she said. "The whole AUTLIVE campaign has been so great to let college kids know that it can happen to anyone."
An industrial and systems engineering major with a minor in supply chain management, Sarah wants to focus her career on safety or logistics, perhaps with an online retailer or at a theme park.
"I think that would be a pretty fun job," she said.
Echoing Coach Pearl's message about the importance of early detection, Sarah DeFalco points to her example, hoping to inspire others.
"I was perfectly healthy one month and the next month I was getting diagnosed," she said. "Always be on top of it is one of his biggest messages.
"If you ever feel something different change in your health, it's so important just to make sure, to go to the doctor, even if you're busy. Everyone on this college campus is busy every day. To take the time to get yourself checked out is so important. Make time for yourself."
'A huge family to me': Sarah DeFalco watches the Auburn University Marching Band. Photo: Anthony Hall/Auburn Athletics
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer