Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) programs across the state have recently continued their strong partnership with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, creating memories for pediatric cancer patients.
As of today, 10 colleges in the conference have hosted signing day-like ceremonies during the fall semester, adopting a cancer patient in their community. The partnership between the ACCC and Friends of Jaclyn began in 2022.
“I am humbled, honored, and excited to announce, in the coming athletic year, the Conference will again partner with Friends of Jaclyn, a nationwide non-profit organization whose mission aims to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers,” said ACCC Commissioner Dean Myrick at the Friends of Jaclyn event at Chattahoochee Valley Community College last week. “Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) does this by pairing children with local sports teams, clubs, and community groups, which provide a unique support system for the families as they navigate the cancer diagnosis.”
Friends of Jaclyn events were hosted last week at Coastal Alabama Community College, CVCC, Gadsden State, Lawson State, Marion Military Institute, Northwest Shoals and Wallace Community College-Dothan.
The Foundation was founded after Jaclyn Murphy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2004 when she was only 9 years old. While in the hospital, a lacrosse team poster inspired her father, Denis Murphy, to encourage hope that she would one day be like the players on the poster – happy and excited by a victory. Later, she was adopted by a collegiate lacrosse team as an honorary member. Denis has attended the events across the state.
See the WAFF 48 story, highlighting Northwest Shoals’ Friends of Jaclyn event.
See the WTVY story, highlighting the Wallace Community College-Dothan Friends of Jaclyn event.