The Owls are dedicating their game against the Wildcats to Devon and her parents, Danny and Angela. Devon was diagnosed with a brain tumor on October 12, 2004 at just 19 months old. Her tumor is currently stable after an extensive treatment process, which included six months of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant/rescue. Though she has been stable for almost two years, Devon just learned to walk independently again this past year.

Devon was introduced to the team through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a charitable organization created to raising public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors. Funds will be used to improve the quality of life of children who are afflicted with a brain tumor, as well as donating contributions to pediatric brain tumor research. All seven teams in the Atlantic 10 Conference are sponsoring children through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.

Though the Lam family resides in Queens, N.Y., this is not its first visit to a Temple lacrosse game. The Lams have also attended games against Penn State and UMass, both of which were big victories for the Cherry and White.

Chicago, IL - For the second consecutive year, WomensLax.com and Amonte Sports teamed up with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation to present the Friends of Jaclyn Challenge, a women’s lacrosse contest featuring two of the nation’s top teams that consummates a weekend designed to help foster public awareness of pediatric brain tumors. This year’s game, held at Northwestern’s Lakeside Field, brought together the top-ranked Northwestern Wildcats and their adoptee, Jaclyn Murphy, and fellow top-10 resident Georgetown, and their adoptee, Alli Mendofik.

The Challenge begun with a banquet on Thursday night (March 27) recognizing the work of the Foundation before drawing the following night in an instant classic. The dinner, which was attended by both teams, was an opportunity for followers to be introduced to the two vivacious young women who had been adopted by their respective teams, as well as other members of the community who have served crucial roles in the work of the FOJ Foundation. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from representatives of other teams who have also adopted young people through the efforts of the Foundation. The adoption program improves the quality of life for both the members of the teams as well as the children afflicted with the challenges.

Emceed by Denis Murphy, Jaclyn’s father, the dinner served as an opportunity for the public to be introduced via video to the nearly two dozen other collegiate athletic teams who have adopted brain tumor survivors and to learn that each person associated with the program has a chance to grow and learn from the adoption experience. Taylor Downs, the captain of the men’s soccer team at Amherst, and head coach Justine Serpone both attended to give the perspective from the Lord Jeffs, while Bayly Buck, a camp counselor who had befriended the Murphys years ago, also presented her thoughts to the attendees. The Foundation presented participation trophies to both Northwestern and Georgetown, recognizing their roles in the progress of the Foundation.

Junior Casey Donohoe scored two goals to help lead Northwestern to the 7-6 victory over Georgetown.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Friday night marked the second annual "Friends of Jaclyn" Pediatric Brain Tumor Awareness Challenge, and 13-year old Jaclyn Murphy was on the Northwestern sidelines cheering on her team. NU needed every bit of luck and karma that Jaclyn provided, holding off ninth-ranked Georgetown 7-6 at Lakeside Field. The Wildcats improve to 9-0 on the season and extended their winning streak to 30 games, one game shy of tying the program's all-time record.

A crowd of nearly 900 people packed the stands on a chilly Chicago evening to support the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, and got every penny's worth. From the players wearing special jerseys during warm-ups to the ceremonial opening draw between Murphy and 16-year old Ali Mendofik (Georgetown's pediatric brain tumor adoptee), to the intense action on the field, it was a game that many will not soon forget.

The big banquet will be Thursday, followed by the game Friday, and, naturally, Jaclyn Murphy is expected to be in Evanston for both.

She means so much to each of the women on the university's team.

She is their friend. She is smart, she is cute, she is 13.

She has a brain tumor.

Northwestern's women are the three-time defending national champions in lacrosse. They all believe that they couldn't have done it without her.

"We hear some people focus on what the team has done for her," said Ashley Gersuk, who was the goalie for the Wildcats' first NCAA championship team. "It's what she has done for us."