Temple University Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Loses One Of Its Own
12.8.08 | Women's Lacrosse
Dec. 8, 2008
PHILADELPHIA- On Friday, December 5 at 4:55am, the Temple Women's Lacrosse Team lost its 5 1/2; year old adopted teammate and honorary little sister, Devon Lam to a brain tumor. It was almost a year ago that Devon and her parents, Danny and Angela were brought together with the Temple Women's Lacrosse Team through the goodness of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children suffering with pediatric brain tumors by matching them with college or high school sports teams. It is out of the shared experience of athletics and the connection of being a part of a team that a truly special relationship is formed between the child, their family, and the team.
"We are so thankful to have been able to share in Devon's life and grateful to the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation for bringing Devon into our lives," said Head Coach Bonnie Rosen. "The amazing impact that Devon has made on our team and on our individual players' lives is indescribable. Her smile, sense of humor, and glowing light were apparent to all who have come in contact with her. Even in her last days here, Devon inspired so many and brought out the best in what people have to offer. We will miss her dearly. Our thoughts, prayers, support and strength are with the Lams in this very difficult time."
Devon, Danny and Angela were a huge part of Temple's success last season, traveling from New York to Philadelphia many times to see the team play. The Lams also made the trip to the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Massachusetts and to the NCAA Tournament at the University of Maryland. Even when the Lams couldn't make it to a game, Devon was still represented on the sidelines in the form of a life size stand-up cut out.
Throughout the season, the team spent time after games playing, taking pictures, singing songs, and sharing lots of smiles with Devon. On April 19th, the team dedicated its senior day to honor Devon and raise awareness about pediatric brain tumors and about the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. In such a short amount of time, a very special bond was created between the Lams and the team. At the end of the season, the team, with the help of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, presented Devon and her family with an Apple laptop so they could continue to communicate even though school was not in session. Over the summer, the team kept in touch through email, IM and video-chatting.
Devon and her beloved team were reunited at the lacrosse banquet in September where everyone gathered to celebrate the successes of the 2008 season. As a surprise to Devon and her family, the coaching staff put together a video presentation of Devon and her new teammates.
The Lams were planning on coming back down to Temple in December but when a new inoperable brain tumor was found on November 16, obviously all was put on hold. Devon spent the next week and a half in Stanley Morgan's Children Hospital in New York in stable condition surrounded by so many loved ones, including several members from the team and the coaching staff. On November 26, Angela and Danny brought Devon home so she could spend her final days in the comfort of her own bed.
Here's an excerpt from Devon's Caringbridge website:
Devon Marie Lam, Angel to many. Born on January 24, 2003.
Devon fought valiantly for her last breath and earned her wings at 4:55 am on Friday December 5, 2008. With her last heart beat came a final tear drop. She came into this earth on a Friday and left this earth on a Friday, she always had a plan. Although we have heavy hearts and eyes filled with tears, we're somehow at peace right now. We know that Devon will no longer need to suffer. We Love You so much and are so proud of all the lives you have touched, especially Mommy and Daddy's. We are honored to have been chosen as your parents.
In lieu of flowers the Lams, ask that a donation be made to the Friends of Jaclyn organization. Donations can be made online at www.friendsofjaclyn.org or mailed to: Friends of Jaclyn, 7 Ridgeview Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
To read more about Devon's story you can visit her website http://www.caringbridge.org/ny/devonlam/.
To learn more about the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, please visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org
