March 28, 2008

The Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team, in conjunction with the other Atlantic 10 member lacrosse schools, has joined with The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Hawks have adopted Carly Crocin, a cancer survivor, who has been clear of childhood brain cancer for over three years. Crocin will be with the team on the sidelines for Sunday's match up against St. Bonaventure.

From The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation: The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, an 11 year old, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in March 2004. Jaclyn's strength and courage, relentless spirit, and joy for life are an inspiration to those who know her. When granted her "Make-A-Wish", Jaclyn asked, "for all the children in the hospitals to be healed."

The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a charitable organization, created to raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. Funds will be used to offset medical expenses for children who are diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer, as well as donate contributions to charities that are specifically related to pediatric brain tumors. It is our goal for Jaclyn to be able to continue to touch people with her smile, her kind heart, her hope and faith that some day there will be a cure! In the meantime, it is our hope that through Jaclyn's example, we can help to improve the lives of other children and families dealing with pediatric cancer.

Crocin, SJU's adoptee, is a 12-year old girl who is almost four years removed from her last cancer treatment. She underwent brain surgery in the summer of 2003, to relieve some of the pressure and control the fluid that was building up around her brain.

A few weeks later, despite having 12 lesions in Crocin's head, none of which were operable or tumors of any kind, another had grown and was biopsied. The doctors found that Crocin had Primitive Nuero-Ectodermal Tumors (PNET) located in her head and spine.

In July 2004, after five rounds of heavy chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and seven weeks of radiation therapy (all of which took nine months, forcing Crocin to miss third grade), her tumors were gone and her prognosis was positive.

Currently, Crocin is checked every six months for any reoccurrences of the tumors, but so far none have been found. Recently, she was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society at her school and is apart of the Girl Scouts.

Crocin will be apart of the Hawks on Sunday as Saint Joseph's takes on Atlantic 10 Conference foe, St. Bonaventure at Noon. The game at Finnesey Field will be the Hawks' second conference game of the season. SJU currently sits at 5-4 on the season and 0-1 in A-10 play, coming off a thrilling 9-8 overtime victory at cross-town rival, Drexel on Wednesday. Admission is free to the game.

More information can be found at www.friendsofjaclyn.org.