Great Gesture For A Great Girl – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 21, 2011
Columbus, Ohio – Lily Decker, a seven-year-old from Lewis Center fighting through treatment for a brain tumor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, was adopted by the Ohio State women’s soccer team through the Friends of Jaclyn program.
Lily was diagnosed in 2008 at age four with a low-grade glioma of the brain. In the summer of 2010 Lily’s family discovered the tumor had grown. They then started a 48 week course of chemotherapy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Lily was adopted by the women’s soccer team through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation that matches children with collegiate sports teams.
“We can’t wait to have her at our home games and have her participating in team functions. The little girl has been through more than any of us can imagine. She is awesome and we can’t wait to have her around,” senior defender Liz Sullivan said.
A blood drive in Lily’s name will also be taking place on Monday, Sept. 26 between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Arrowhead Elementary School located at 2385 Hollenbeck Road, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. Lily’s entire family and even Lily herself will be attending the drive. There will be free pizza and many prizes.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families formed in 2005.
The Foundation was inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, in March 2004 when she was nine-years-old. Jaclyn’s strength and courage, relentless spirit, and joy for life are an inspiration to those who know her. Jaclyn’s wish is “for all the children in the hospitals to be healed.”
Lily participated in a formal adoption ceremony after the Dayton game. The women’s soccer team provided Lily with her own jersey as they welcomed her to the team. “It’s not a relationship that just lasts a year or a season, we hope she stays close to our program for many years to come.” Sullivan said.
To learn more about Lily and her incredible journey please visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lilydecker
For more on the Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) Foundation, visit http://friendsofjaclyn.org/. FOJ has completed more than 230 adoptions in more than 20 different sports. More than 1,000 teams (major colleges, small colleges and high schools) are waiting to be matched with a child seeking additional love, support and friendship.
(by Jake Demyan)
Read more about Lily’s story at:http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/09/18/between-fearhope.html
