The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. FOJ is all about love, support, and friendship. FOJ matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on geographic location. Once the team and child have been matched, there is a ceremonial adoption. The child is surrounded by 20 or 30 new friends that rally around him or her. A deep bond is formed between the child, the child's family and the sports team.  The relationship is a priceless gift. The gift is in the relationship; a child is gaining a loving support network and the team is gaining an insight into the value of life and the power of love. The result of this connection is mutual respect, support, friendship and love.

The child becomes the guest of honor at games and receives supportive text messages, emails and phone calls. Each child that is "adopted" helps to spread knowledge and understanding for pediatric brain tumors. When the athletic community is exposed to the miraculous nature of each child and realizes the hardships that child has to endure, the community is forever changed. The circle of knowledge continues to grow and expand with every child that is adopted.

Any child with a brain tumor is welcome. Any sports team that wants to adopt a child is valued. Currently there are over 180 children paired with collegiate and high school teams in 20 different sports. There are over 1,000 schools waiting to adopt. FOJ has created a siblings adoption program called Safe on the Sidelines to give the siblings the opportunity to experience the special relationship with a team. FOJ is also creating other programs that will continue to form life-changing relationships between children, their families and teams.

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."

It is our goal for Jaclyn to be able to continue to touch people with her smile, her kind heart, her hope and faith that some day there will be a cure! In the meantime, it is our hope that through Jaclyn's example, we can help to improve the lives of other children and families dealing with pediatric cancer.

After watching these videos, you'll have a good idea of what we're about.

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