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'Love Like Lacey' Wristbands Honor MSU Princess' Memory

EAST LANSING (WWJ) - One week after her death, "Princess Lacey" remains a focal point on the campus of Michigan State University.

"Love Like Lacey" wristbands and T-Shirts honoring 8-year-old Lacey Holsworth — the little girl who befriended Spartan center Adreian Payne and the MSU basketball team this past season — have become a hot item.

"The East Lansing community, the day she passed, I've never seen them so shook up," said  MSU senior Marc Colcer of Milford, a business management major and organizer of the "Love Like Lacey" effort. "She had become like a little sister to everybody on campus, whether you had met her or not."

The 8-year-old — affectionately known as "Princess Lacey"— had neuroblastoma, a nerve-cell cancer. She met Payne during one of her hospital stays two years ago, and their friendship quickly blossomed.  She wore a long, blond wig because chemotherapy took her hair.

Often appearing at big events with Payne, Lacey became a valued member of the Spartan family.

The bracelets, available in light blue, light pink and white, are available for purchase from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and from 12-4 p.m. Thursday at the MSU Union, ahead of Lacey's public memorial.

Cost of the bracelets is $3, and soon they will be available to out-of-towners online at lovelikelaceydonations.com.

By Wednesday, Colcer said, they'd already sold 1,300.

"I have friends from other Big Ten universities, including Ohio State, Michigan, that have all called me asking if they can get wristbands," Colcer said. "So, it doesn't matter what team you're supporting. At the end of the day everyone's here supporting the cause."

Colcer says all of the money raised from the wrist band and shirt sales will go to support the Holsworth family.

The memorial begins Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center, the Spartans' home arena. Doors open at 6 p.m.

MORE: Lacey Holsworth, Best Friends With MSU's Adreian Payne, Dies

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