OMAHA, Neb. – Following Thursday night’s win over Illinois State, the Creighton women’s basketball team spent some time with Anna Grace Klock, a local two-year-old suffering with a brain tumor. The Bluejays have adopted Anna Grace as part of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families.
Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) matches a child with a college or high school sports team in their area. Once the team and child have been matched, there is a ceremonial adoption. The child is surrounded by a team of new friends that rally around him or her, helping to develop a deep bond between the child, the child’s family and the team.
Anna Grace was diagnosed with her brain tumor on August 4 of last year. The tumor is called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) and is a very aggressive and rare tumor. This type of tumor only occurs in one-to-two percent of children with brain tumors, or about 30 cases in the United States per year. One of four children of Jarod and Angie Klock, Anna Grace is currently in the first half of 51 total weeks of chemotherapy treatment.
Senior Chevelle Herring spearheaded the efforts to get involved with the foundation, bringing it to her teammates and coaches attention after seeing an HBO special on the organization.
“After seeing the HBO documentary I thought about it and I know that Omaha has some great hospitals in the area, and I was hoping there would be someone we could help,” said Herring. “It was so nice to meet with the Klock family after the game. We received ‘Anna’s Angels’ bracelets from her father and he spoke about how much this relationship with the team means to his family and how nice it will be for them to have another support system to reach out to.”
Anna Grace, who attended Thursday’s game and visited with the team in the locker room with her family following the game, will stay in contact with women’s basketball players, receiving supportive letters, phone calls and visits.
“I think this is a great opportunity for our student-athletes,” said assistant coach Dayna Finch. “Not only can we help Anna Grace by giving her our care and attention, but she can help us to see that there is much more to life than just basketball. I’m so proud of our girls that they have gone beyond themselves to care for Anna Grace. They are each so excited to have this opportunity and look forward to being a part of her life and the lives of all of the Klocks.”
For more information about Anna Grace, visit her Care Page.
For more information on Friends of Jaclyn, please visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) matches a child with a college or high school sports team in their area. Once the team and child have been matched, there is a ceremonial adoption. The child is surrounded by a team of new friends that rally around him or her, helping to develop a deep bond between the child, the child’s family and the team.
Anna Grace was diagnosed with her brain tumor on August 4 of last year. The tumor is called Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT) and is a very aggressive and rare tumor. This type of tumor only occurs in one-to-two percent of children with brain tumors, or about 30 cases in the United States per year. One of four children of Jarod and Angie Klock, Anna Grace is currently in the first half of 51 total weeks of chemotherapy treatment.
Senior Chevelle Herring spearheaded the efforts to get involved with the foundation, bringing it to her teammates and coaches attention after seeing an HBO special on the organization.
“After seeing the HBO documentary I thought about it and I know that Omaha has some great hospitals in the area, and I was hoping there would be someone we could help,” said Herring. “It was so nice to meet with the Klock family after the game. We received ‘Anna’s Angels’ bracelets from her father and he spoke about how much this relationship with the team means to his family and how nice it will be for them to have another support system to reach out to.”
Anna Grace, who attended Thursday’s game and visited with the team in the locker room with her family following the game, will stay in contact with women’s basketball players, receiving supportive letters, phone calls and visits.
“I think this is a great opportunity for our student-athletes,” said assistant coach Dayna Finch. “Not only can we help Anna Grace by giving her our care and attention, but she can help us to see that there is much more to life than just basketball. I’m so proud of our girls that they have gone beyond themselves to care for Anna Grace. They are each so excited to have this opportunity and look forward to being a part of her life and the lives of all of the Klocks.”
For more information about Anna Grace, visit her Care Page.
For more information on Friends of Jaclyn, please visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.
