Sayreville Girl Battling Rare Blood Disorder Honored At Rutgers Game

SAYREVILLE, NJ — A 12-year-old Sayreville girl was honored this past Sunday as the "Shining Knight of the Game" in the Rutgers' women's basketball win over Wisconsin (73-67).

Scarlett Stiso was honored in front of a packed house at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway Sunday.

She was chosen because she is battling a rare blood disorder, called beta thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder.

Scarlett is now in the seventh grade, but she was diagnosed with the blood disorder at a very young age. In order to stay alive, she has to receive treatment — including blood transfusions — every few weeks at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s pediatric hematology/oncology program.

Despite the fact that the blood transfusions and treatments leave her exhausted, Scarlett has a sparkly personality. She will not let her condition slow her down as enjoys volleyball and plays softball for the Sayreville Little League and her middle school team.

Scarlett and her mom (Vincenza) were joined by RU cheerleaders and the Rutgers Scarlet Knight mascot at center court Sunday.

The Sayreville girl was cheered by the crowd for her bravery and strength to fight. This was the Rutgers women's basketball Play4Kay game, which celebrates cancer survivors.

Rutgers has a "Shining Knight of the Game" to lift the spirits and shine the spotlight on a New Jersey child or teen who is enduring healthcare challenges.

Scarlett's medical team is Dr. Richard Drachtman and nurses Dawn Yuhas and Liz Castro at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.