Mahwah, NJ: This spring, the Ramapo College baseball team has adopted a child through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, taking on the responsibility of giving support and friendship to a young child battling a pediatric brain tumor. It was tonight at the Bradley Center that the Roadrunners officially adopted Evan Hurwitz, an eight-year old boy from Oakland, NJ, as the newest member of the Roadrunner team.
"FOJ is all about love, support, and friendship." (
www.friendsofjaclyn.com) That is exactly what the Roadrunners showed Evan, his mother Erika, father Brian, siblings Alyssa and Sam, and many friends and family that joined in the fun. The team cheered for Evan and his family as they entered the Bradley Center room which was filled with Evan's favorite things; Disney, the color yellow, chocolate chip chunky cookies, pizza, and the New York Yankees.
Dennis Murphy, Jaclyn's father, and Danny Lam, FOJ parent, took part in the special evening sharing stories of their children, before the team presented Evan with his certificate of adoption, along with his official Roadrunner uniform. Coach Martin and three Roadrunners capped off the special ceremony singing, "Swinging on a Star", wearing hats atop their heads dressed as a mule, pig, and fish, fulfilling one of Evan's final favorite things, the theater.
Rocky the Roadrunner took part in the ceremony surprising all the children during dinner. Rocky posed for photos while playing with the young children mesmerized by the tall bird.
All across the country, the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation has more than 80 children adopted by teams on both the high school and college levels. There are more than 200 teams anxiously waiting for their chance to be a part of a special child's life. Jaclyn Murphy, now 15, was the inspiration behind the foundation. In 2004, she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant tumor, and in 2005, she was adopted as an honorary member of the Northwestern University women's lacrosse team.
The Wildcats, through Jaclyn's inspiration, recorded a perfect season that year, and the first national championship in 64 years. Jaclyn's hope is that all the children with brain tumors, can have similar experiences.
The Roadrunners are excited for the 2010 baseball season with Evan by their side. The Ramapo Athletic Department welcomes Evan and his family and looks forward to the love, support, and encouragement they can share throughout the years!
More on Evan:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/evanhurwitz/mystory
For more information on the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, please visit
www.friendsofjaclyn.com.
