The Alaska Anchorage men's basketball team received concerning news recently as head coach Rusty Osborne announced Friday that junior forward Malik Jackson has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic Leukemia.

A native of Castro Valley, Calif., and former transfer from Peninsula (Wash.) College, Jackson is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in San Francisco.

Jackson's family has created a gofundme account to aid with associated costs of his treatment. Please click https://gofund.me/616411e5 to donate, and read his first-person story below:

My name is Malik Jackson. I am a student-athlete at the University of Alaska Anchorage on a basketball scholarship. I'm currently on track to receive my BA in political science this May. I suffered a basketball ankle injury and was on the road to recovery, when my life recently took a turn.

While doing my daily workouts with the team, I noticed flu-like symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath, chest pains and night sweats. I kept thinking the symptoms would go away. One day after practice I could barely walk the three flights of stairs to get to my dorm room. That's when I knew something was wrong.

On January 30, 2025, I went to the emergency room, and the doctor took my vitals, bloodwork, CT scan and chest x-rays. When the doctor returned, my life would forever change – I was told I had Leukemia, a blood cancer disease, and needed immediate medical treatment. I called my parents with the devastating news and let my coach, who was with me the whole time, explain to them what was happening.

I needed an immediate blood transfusion before being airlifted from Alaska to Seattle and the University of Washington Cancer Treatment Center. There, more bloodwork and testing was done. The next day, the doctors told me my diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic Leukemia, and I would need to start chemotherapy soon. The doctors suggested I begin treatment closer to home, so my parents and I made the decision to have me transferred to UCSF Benioff in San Francisco, where I could be close to family during the process.

The blood and platelet transfusions – along with chemotherapy – are intense and painful, but I've been staying positive and strong throughout everything. I still have my dream of playing basketball again, but I am currently focused on my health, treatment and recovery.

While my parents have been a big support through this, I know they are having a hard time financially. In addition to the expense incurred while I was hospitalized in Seattle, they haven't been able to work full-time due to caring for me. I really appreciate all your support.