April 10, 2008
On March 30, the Saint Joseph's women's lacrosse team welcomed a new member to its squad for SJU's game vs. St. Bonaventure. That day, Carly Roncin saw the Hawks defeat the Bonnies in dramatic fashion with a 10-9 double-overtime victory thanks to a Jenna Martino game winner. Roncin has donned the #23 jersey as honary manager and will continue to do so the rest of the season as part of the Hawk family.
Roncin is part of The Friends of Jacyln Murphy Foundation, which has helped children with pediatric cancer be a part of several athletic teams over the past couple of years. Head Coach Denise Roessler and the women's lacrosse team adopted Roncin into their family as part of the program.
Roncin, 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 Roncin'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 Roncin to miss third grade), her tumors were gone and her prognosis was positive.
Currently, Roncin 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.
Roncin was apart of the Hawks two Sundays ago as Saint Joseph's defeated Atlantic 10 Conference foe, St. Bonaventure 10-9 in double overtime. Then the next week Roncin was on the sidelines again as the Hawks defeated La Salle, 11-9. SJU currently sits at 7-5 on the season and 2-1 in A-10 play. SJU takes on UMass on Friday at Finnesey Field. Admission is free to the game.
About The Friends of Jaclyn Murphy 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."
Friends of Jaclyn 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.
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The Hawks take on UMass Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. on Finnesey Field. SJU is currently third in the Atlantic 10 at 2-1. If Saint Joseph's (7-5) defeats the Minutewomen, the Hawks will tie the school record for most wins in a season (8).
