Lacrosse Adopts Emily Through Friends of Jaclyn
September 24, 2008 | Women's Lacrosse
Sept. 24, 2008
The University of Louisville lacrosse team took time out from their fall schedule to adopt a very special new team member when the Cardinals traveled to Cincinnati last weekend to meet with the family of Emily Beck.
Through the support organization, Friends of Jaclyn, the lacrosse team adopted three-year-old Emily, who is battling a brain tumor . The team will correspond, support, communicate and visit Emily throughout her treatment and recovery.
"Having these athletes involved in Emily's life is great," said Carol Beck, Emily's mom. "Emily keeps talking about it. She is even trying to teach the neighbors and her brothers in how to play lacrosse, which is funny. Even our older daughter Alex, talks about the girls, and how they played with her, and cared about her too, not just Emily. Jacob loves the jersey, and has worn it four times, in one week. So getting involved with Friends of Jacklyn is a wonderful experience for all of our family members."
Team members Bergan Foley, Sammy Allen, Emily Dashiell, Brooke Campbell and Katie Oliverio made the first of many planned trips to visit Emily and gifted her with lacrosse apparel and spent the afternoon with her playing in the pool. On Emily's website, it mentioned how much she enjoyed pushing the Cardinals in the pool with their clothes on and how her brother has been wearing the lacrosse jersey non-stop, much to Emily's dismay.
We feel very blessed to be on this journey with the Beck Family, said U of L head coach Kellie Young. "We can not begin to understand the challenges this tumor has brought to their lives, but we can do what comes easily...give lots of love, hugs whenever possible, and as much emotional support as our lacrosse family can provide. Emily is now officially a member of hte Louisville lacrosse family and will be connected with the program for many years to come."
The Cardinals found Emily through Friends of Jaclyn, which is a charitable organization created to raising public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. Funds will be used to improve the quality of life of children who are afflicted with a brain tumor, as well as donating contributions to pediatric brain tumor research.
