Jayden Bailey, a beloved 17-year-old student athlete at Lebanon High School in Tennessee, has sadly died. He had been battling osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, for multiple years. Wilson County Schools shared a tribute to Bailey on Facebook following the news of his passing.
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"He captured and captivated the hearts of so many both locally and nationally while he battled his cancer diagnosis throughout the past several years,"
the tribute read. "He chose to live to the fullest and continued to lean on life's joys while he went through many treatments and operations."Bailey underwent an amputation of his left arm in August 2025. However, the amputation didn't keep him away from the basketball court.
"It's wild to think that I shoot better now than I ever did with both arms," Bailey said in a YouTube video uploaded by the school district.
Sadly, Jayden's cancer continued to spread, reaching both his stomach and lungs.
"He's a hero, in every sense of the word," Wilson County Schools' statement continued. "The community rallied around him and cheered him on each day. He will always live in our hearts, for the impacts he made and the extremely high standards of character he set. Internally, he was such a fierce fighter of his disease, but outwardly, he poured with love and support for everyone he encountered," the school district added. "He indeed made this world a better place."
A GoFundMe Was Set up for Jayden Bailey in 2022
Originally set up in 2022, a GoFundMe for Jayden Bailey has resurfaced.
"I am heartbroken to share that Jayden Bailey took his last breath on 2/19 after fighting so incredibly hard. Through everything, he loved his family, his friends, and basketball with his whole heart. That love never wavered," the GoFundMe says.
Donations are still pouring in, with $26,780 being raised at the time of writing. The goal on the GoFundMe is listed at $35,000.
"We are asking our community to come together for London and her family once again. If you are able, please consider donating to help cover the costs. Every contribution, no matter the amount, will go directly toward honoring Jayden's life and laying him to rest with dignity," the statement on GoFundMe continues.
Jayden's loss is tragic. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this tough time.
