Davidson Lacrosse Adopts Kira Berkhout through Friends of Jaclyn
12/19/2008 10:53:53 AM | Women's Lacrosse
DAVIDSON — The Davidson women's lacrosse team has adopted a new teammate. In association with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, seven year old Kira Berkhout has been adopted by the team as an honorary Wildcat teammate.
Soon after Kira was born she was diagnosed a brain tumor, more specifically, a Low Grade Glioma (JPA) which is located on her brainstem. She also has Intractable Epilepsy caused by a Cortical Dysplasia, and Global Developmental Delay. She had a Craniotomy in May of 2004 along with a year and half of Chemo. Although Kira is smiling and staying strong, not a day goes by where both Kira and her family can seize fighting this ongoing battle.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ) was founded in honor of Jaclyn Murphy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. (FOJ is a charitable organization created to raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors). After seeing a picture of Kelly Amonte-Hiller near her hospital room Jaclyn promised herself that she would make it through the treatment so she could one day play lacrosse just like the girl in the picture. Shortly after her release from the hospital, Jaclyn met Kelly and was soon adopted by the Northwestern Lacrosse Team.
“We are blessed to have been given the opportunity to help support Kira in every way we can,” said head coach Kim Wayne. “I was so moved by Jaclyn's story that we ended practice early so the team could get together to watch the thirty minute video on Jaclyn and the Northwestern Team. I knew right away that after watching the video the team would be honored and proud to have Kira as an official Wildcat teammate.”
Kira lives in Davidson, N.C. with her older sister Lindsay and brother Alex.
Soon after Kira was born she was diagnosed a brain tumor, more specifically, a Low Grade Glioma (JPA) which is located on her brainstem. She also has Intractable Epilepsy caused by a Cortical Dysplasia, and Global Developmental Delay. She had a Craniotomy in May of 2004 along with a year and half of Chemo. Although Kira is smiling and staying strong, not a day goes by where both Kira and her family can seize fighting this ongoing battle.
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ) was founded in honor of Jaclyn Murphy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. (FOJ is a charitable organization created to raise public awareness regarding pediatric brain tumors). After seeing a picture of Kelly Amonte-Hiller near her hospital room Jaclyn promised herself that she would make it through the treatment so she could one day play lacrosse just like the girl in the picture. Shortly after her release from the hospital, Jaclyn met Kelly and was soon adopted by the Northwestern Lacrosse Team.
“We are blessed to have been given the opportunity to help support Kira in every way we can,” said head coach Kim Wayne. “I was so moved by Jaclyn's story that we ended practice early so the team could get together to watch the thirty minute video on Jaclyn and the Northwestern Team. I knew right away that after watching the video the team would be honored and proud to have Kira as an official Wildcat teammate.”
Kira lives in Davidson, N.C. with her older sister Lindsay and brother Alex.
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