FOJ Gala 2014

This past weekend, I was honored to attend the 2014 Annual Friends Of Jaclyn Foundation Benefit Gala hosted by the Murphy family. Eight girls on the Marist Women's Soccer Team, including myself, were invited to gala to support Jaimie.

Enlightened and blessed are two adjectives that don't even come close to representing the way I felt after attending this event. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did I get to spend 6 hours with the Ferretti family, I was also introduced to other children with pediatric brain tumors and had the privilege of hearing their stories.

The Juniors with Jaimie!

The event began with a cocktail hour filled with introductions, appetizers, drinks, and photos. Jaimie was wearing the cutest long sleeve dress, and had her hair and makeup done for the occasion. Her dad told me: "She's not wearing makeup or leaving the house with it on for the next twenty years." After dragging Jaimie to the photo booth a dozen times to get pictures in front of the FOJ logo, we feasted; I opted for the fried calamari, whereas Jaimie chose some plain pasta. We both were Shirley temple fans though, and made a couple of cheers to the night ahead. I learned a lot of things during the cocktail hour period: 1) Jaimie uses the surgery simulator app on her iPad to kill her patients, 2) She enjoys picking up bugs with her bare hands, and 3) She can't wait to go out hunting with her dad... and name a bunny Fluffy and then eat it for dinner. (I know I already told you all that last one, but it's worth retelling.) We can't make this stuff up.

The Seniors with Jaimie!

After we proceeded into the main dining room, we were all seated at a large table together that was sponsored by Pepsi-Co, as a gift to their star employee Debbie Ferretti, (Jaimie's mom). The Murphy family started off the event by announcing the beginning of their silent auction, to help raise money for the foundation, and informed us all about their mission to make FOJ a global program. In my personal opinion, within the next few years, Friends of Jaclyn will be one of the largest international foundations without a doubt!

Jaclyn's friends, family, and participants in the foundation all gave speeches about their personal experiences. Each speaker was great, effectively conveying to us all how successful the foundation is and how it changed their lives completely. My personal favorite speaker was a little boy named Andrew Silsby, who recounted his experience as the University of New Hampshire's Ice Hockey adoptee. His strength, perspective on life, and wisdom is inimitable - and he's not even 16 years old. His conclusion was to live each day as if it were your last, and to have no regrets. Although that sounds cliche, coming from the mouth of a cancer survivor, it means something a little greater.  After an amazing dinner, dessert, and Jaimie winning the raffle of the night, it was time to say a tearful goodbye. I witnessed Jaimie's magic tricks, selfie faces, bracelet making skills, and much more throughout the course of the night.


Since the founder of the foundation, Jaclyn, is now a part of the Marist Women's Lacrosse Team, there was some debate on who ran the dance floor the best, but naturally, the soccer team was victorious. Jaimie strutted her stuff, showing her mastery of the electric slide, as well as the contemporary dance floor moves like the fist pump. However, instead of dancing, Jaimie's activity of choice for the entire night was sliding down a ramp barefoot. Of course, I started the whole fiasco, bribing her with the opportunity of ONE slide if she would come dance. But, I learned that with kids, there's never just "one time" of anything. Soon enough, every child in attendance was stripping off their shoes and sliding down this ramp. Was it extremely dangerous? Yes. Was I overwhelmed with trying to catch everyone's heads before they smashed the ground? Of course. But was it worth it? 100%.

Overall, this was by far one of the most memorable nights I've ever had. Hearing how sports teams are able to play such a positive role in the lives of children, and vice versa, is the most rewarding experience in the world. Events like these teach everyone to be thankful for what they have, and evoke a sense of community and family in the people who need hope the most. Check out the Friends of Jaclyn Instagram account to see more photos from the gala: http://instagram.com/fojfoundation.

Live in the moment. Play in the moment.