March 5, 2009

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist women's lacrosse team, in conjunction with the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), will participate in the Friends of Jaclyn Week as the Red Foxes play host to the Columbia Lions in a non-conference game, on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field. Jaclyn Murphy, 11, who was the inspiration of the foundation, is a resident of Dutchess County.

The Red Foxes will host one of 10 games this weekend to raise awareness for the Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) Foundation, which dedicates itself to raise public awareness in the area of pediatric brain tumors. The goal of the FOJ is to improve the quality of life for children suffering from the ailment, by matching the child with a high school or college team based on geographic location.

FOJ was inspired by Murphy, who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of malignant brain tumor, in March 2004. She is currently in the sixth grade and has been adopted by the Northwestern women's lacrosse team. Murphy, who calls Dutchess County home, will attend a Marist women's lacrosse game on April 7 against Colgate at 4 p.m. at Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field.

The Marist women's lacrosse team is on a waiting list to adopt a friend, but will still be supporting the foundation this weekend.

For more information on the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, visit http://www.friendsofjaclyn.org/.