Temple University Athletics
Temple Lacrosse with Lily Adkins
Four-Year Old Lily Adkins Joins the Temple Lacrosse Family
4.27.10 | Women's Lacrosse
Owls adopt again through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation
Photo Gallery - Lily's Adoption Ceremony
PHILADELPHIA – Lily Adkins was formally introduced to the Temple lacrosse family on Monday afternoon, April 26, as the team “adopted” four-year old Lily through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ). The Adkins family and the entire team, as well as FOJ founder Denis Murphy, were on hand for the ceremony in McGonigle Hall.
The adoption is the second for Temple lacrosse, who a few years ago welcomed Devon Lam as an honorary Owl. Devon was battling a brain tumor, and sadly lost that battle in December of 2008. Devon's parents, Danny and Angela, have not only remained close to the team but have become huge advocates for the FOJ Foundation. Danny Lam also attended Lily's adoption ceremony, and spoke to the team.
"We could have never done this adoption without the love, support, and courage of Angela and Danny Lam,” said head coach Bonnie Rosen. “It was a gift that they shared their beautiful daughter Devon with us, and it is with such selfless spirit that they now share in welcoming the Adkins' into our family."
The Owls are the first team to adopt for a second time.
Lily, who recently turned four years old, is a survivor of an ependymoma brain tumor and has been doing well for a few years, since the discovery and initial treatment of her tumor when she was 14 months old.
Lily is the daughter of Mike and Trish Adkins, both Temple alums, and also has a 15-month old sister named Chloe. The family has attended three of Temple's games, and was on hand to witness the Owls' recent win vs. Saint Joseph's on April 18. Lily wore jersey #31 to walk on the field as part of Temple's starting lineup.
“Words cannot properly describe the meaning of today's 'adoption,'” said Rosen. “The emotions wrapped up in today's event can only be expressed as the "circle of life." On one hand, it was a day that reminded us of the sorrow that we feel as a result of having lost Devon Lam. On the other hand, it wasa day to watch the Friends of Jaclyn magic unfold as the players welcomed in their new teammate, Lily Adkins. It is an amazing gift to witness such love being exchanged. The power of "team" was in full display today.”
Rosen and the team have so fully embraced the mission of the FOJ Foundation that she was approached by younger members of the team who had heard about the team's experiences with Devon, and wanted a chance to make a difference in another child's life. Rosen talked with their older teammates to make sure everyone could handle it emotionally, and realized everyone was on board.
“When we first became a Friends of Jaclyn team and adopted Devon, we had no idea the powerful journey we would embark upon,” said Rosen. “Now, having the unique opportunity to share in another child's life, we have the gift of knowing how powerful an experience this will be for all of us, and the perspective that will enable us "to live in the moment...play in the moment" and cherish each day together.”
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, formed in 2005, is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families.
FOJ matches a child in need of love, support and friendship with a college or high school sports team based on geographic basis. Through a due diligence process, the foundation screens for the best match based on the child and family's needs and the team, coach and athletic director's commitment to the foundation's goals.
After the adoption is completed, the child becomes an extension of the team where a unique bond is formed between the team members, the child and the family. The benefit to all is a personal loving support network that creates a unique bond. The result of the FOJ adoption is the child feels involved and each individual team member gains insight into the value of helping others. Additionally, FOJ has seen this relationship forges a closer bond among team members magnifying the importance of a team operating as a single unit.
Through the adoption relationship, the child is involved in the team through text messaging, emails, phone calls, facebook and twitter postings. Through the wide reaching press coverage, FOJ has helped improve the awareness of pediatric brain tumors.
FOJ has completed over 230 adoptions in over 20 different sports. It currently has over 1,000 schools on a waiting list as FOJ grows from a small organization into a larger one.
“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve the mission of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation,” said Rosen. “The foundation makes a difference in people's lives not through the gift of "things" but through building special relationships. It's about people bringing happiness into each others' lives.”
For more information, visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
PHILADELPHIA – Lily Adkins was formally introduced to the Temple lacrosse family on Monday afternoon, April 26, as the team “adopted” four-year old Lily through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ). The Adkins family and the entire team, as well as FOJ founder Denis Murphy, were on hand for the ceremony in McGonigle Hall.
The adoption is the second for Temple lacrosse, who a few years ago welcomed Devon Lam as an honorary Owl. Devon was battling a brain tumor, and sadly lost that battle in December of 2008. Devon's parents, Danny and Angela, have not only remained close to the team but have become huge advocates for the FOJ Foundation. Danny Lam also attended Lily's adoption ceremony, and spoke to the team.
"We could have never done this adoption without the love, support, and courage of Angela and Danny Lam,” said head coach Bonnie Rosen. “It was a gift that they shared their beautiful daughter Devon with us, and it is with such selfless spirit that they now share in welcoming the Adkins' into our family."
The Owls are the first team to adopt for a second time.
Lily, who recently turned four years old, is a survivor of an ependymoma brain tumor and has been doing well for a few years, since the discovery and initial treatment of her tumor when she was 14 months old.
Lily is the daughter of Mike and Trish Adkins, both Temple alums, and also has a 15-month old sister named Chloe. The family has attended three of Temple's games, and was on hand to witness the Owls' recent win vs. Saint Joseph's on April 18. Lily wore jersey #31 to walk on the field as part of Temple's starting lineup.
“Words cannot properly describe the meaning of today's 'adoption,'” said Rosen. “The emotions wrapped up in today's event can only be expressed as the "circle of life." On one hand, it was a day that reminded us of the sorrow that we feel as a result of having lost Devon Lam. On the other hand, it wasa day to watch the Friends of Jaclyn magic unfold as the players welcomed in their new teammate, Lily Adkins. It is an amazing gift to witness such love being exchanged. The power of "team" was in full display today.”
Rosen and the team have so fully embraced the mission of the FOJ Foundation that she was approached by younger members of the team who had heard about the team's experiences with Devon, and wanted a chance to make a difference in another child's life. Rosen talked with their older teammates to make sure everyone could handle it emotionally, and realized everyone was on board.
“When we first became a Friends of Jaclyn team and adopted Devon, we had no idea the powerful journey we would embark upon,” said Rosen. “Now, having the unique opportunity to share in another child's life, we have the gift of knowing how powerful an experience this will be for all of us, and the perspective that will enable us "to live in the moment...play in the moment" and cherish each day together.”
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, formed in 2005, is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families.
FOJ matches a child in need of love, support and friendship with a college or high school sports team based on geographic basis. Through a due diligence process, the foundation screens for the best match based on the child and family's needs and the team, coach and athletic director's commitment to the foundation's goals.
After the adoption is completed, the child becomes an extension of the team where a unique bond is formed between the team members, the child and the family. The benefit to all is a personal loving support network that creates a unique bond. The result of the FOJ adoption is the child feels involved and each individual team member gains insight into the value of helping others. Additionally, FOJ has seen this relationship forges a closer bond among team members magnifying the importance of a team operating as a single unit.
Through the adoption relationship, the child is involved in the team through text messaging, emails, phone calls, facebook and twitter postings. Through the wide reaching press coverage, FOJ has helped improve the awareness of pediatric brain tumors.
FOJ has completed over 230 adoptions in over 20 different sports. It currently has over 1,000 schools on a waiting list as FOJ grows from a small organization into a larger one.
“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to serve the mission of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation,” said Rosen. “The foundation makes a difference in people's lives not through the gift of "things" but through building special relationships. It's about people bringing happiness into each others' lives.”
For more information, visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
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