Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Carli Showmaker
Lacrosse Welcomes Back Lily Adkins for FOJ Day on Saturday
4.18.19 | Women's Lacrosse
PHILADELPHIA - Nine years ago, Temple lacrosse adopted its second sister through the Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) organization. Lily Adkins was a shy four-year-old then, and is now an active and athletic 13-year-old who has been cancer-free for almost 12 years. Adkins and her family will be on hand at the final home lacrosse game of the season on Saturday, April 20, and Lily will be honored in addition to the Owls' four seniors.
Lily will walk out as an honorary starter for the Owls, and has done so once a year since 2010. That season, four-year-old Lily was only three years removed from the discovery and treatment of an ependymoma brain tumor when she was 14 months old. Lily and her parents, Temple alums Trish and Mike, along with younger sister Chloe and younger brother Nicholas, attend the Owls' games when they can.Â
"Friends of Jaclyn is a truly amazing foundation!" said Temple head coach Bonnie Rosen. "There is such power in sport and team to provide the love, support and friendship to children and families battling through and recovering from the effects of childhood cancer. FOJ brought Lily and the wonderful Adkins family into our lives years ago. It is such a thrill to see Lily growing into a truly special person. It is with all of our Temple love that we celebrate her today and that we send our strength to all the many children in the midst of their own fight with cancer."
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.
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Lily will walk out as an honorary starter for the Owls, and has done so once a year since 2010. That season, four-year-old Lily was only three years removed from the discovery and treatment of an ependymoma brain tumor when she was 14 months old. Lily and her parents, Temple alums Trish and Mike, along with younger sister Chloe and younger brother Nicholas, attend the Owls' games when they can.Â
"Friends of Jaclyn is a truly amazing foundation!" said Temple head coach Bonnie Rosen. "There is such power in sport and team to provide the love, support and friendship to children and families battling through and recovering from the effects of childhood cancer. FOJ brought Lily and the wonderful Adkins family into our lives years ago. It is such a thrill to see Lily growing into a truly special person. It is with all of our Temple love that we celebrate her today and that we send our strength to all the many children in the midst of their own fight with cancer."
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.
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