The Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) will partner with the Friends of Jaclyn in 2022 in hopes of spreading their mission to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers.  The Friends of Jaclyn was started when nine year old Jaclyn Murphy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Through chance events and the support of her community, Jaclyn was connected with a collegiate lacrosse team that helped her through her cancer diagnosis.  After seeing the benefits of the relationship on Jaclyn's healing process, the Murphy family created Friends of Jaclyn in hopes of bringing other children the same love, support and friendship that Jaclyn received through the connection with a local sports team.

Founder Denis Murphy says, "we're honored and humbled to have the support of Commissioner Myrick and the ACCC. We've never had the chance to spread an initiative across a group this large and we look forward to working with the administration, coaches and student body within the ACCC. There is great potential for awareness and growth here. 2022 is going to be a great year!"

The ACCC plans to partner with Friends of Jaclyn to allow the 22 member schools, 122 teams, and approximately 2,500 student-athletes in the Conference to work together to support the Friends of Jacklyn mission.  A call to action will be implemented in the new year and all will work together to help spread awareness about pediatric cancer and the programs available to families through Friends of Jaclyn.

"I am honored and excited to partner with Friends of Jaclyn as we look forward to assisting families and children in their journey through these difficult times.  As we know, sports allows us all to escape the realities of the world and life, even if for a brief period of time.  In the end, it is more than a game", stated Commissioner Dean Myrick.  "No child or family should have to experience childhood cancer, and we want to be there in those difficult times to create smiles and positive experiences through sport." 

To date, Friends of Jaclyn has paired more than 960 families with men's and women's teams across the United States and Canada in Divisions I, II, III, junior college, semi-pro and high school. To learn more about Friends of Jaclyn, please visit their website: www.friendsofjaclyn.org.

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