Torrey Pines High School Boys Lacrosse adopts Jose Montano as an ‘Official Honorary Member’
A ceremony was held Sept. 20 “adopting” Jose Montano into the Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team as an Honorary Team Member. The event was held at the Torrey Pines High School Library and included “Friends of Jaclyn” founder Denis Murphy.
Jose was brought into the lives of the Boys Lacrosse Team through the “Friends of Jaclyn” program and Children’s Hospital. Jose is an 11-year-old boy who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April of 2011. Jose has an amazing spirit and a passion for life. He touches the lives of everyone he meets simply with his smile. Jose’s biggest support includes his parents and five siblings. Jose and his family realize the support they have is how they have gotten through the toughest times of their lives. Jose recently completed his treatments at Children’s Hospital and is now cancer free.
Torrey Pines High School was connected with Jose Montano and his family through the Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ) program and Foundation (www.friendsofjaclyn.net). The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is inspired by Jaclyn Murphy who, in 2004, also had a malignant brain tumor (medulloblastoma). The Murphy family founded the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation in 2005 to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families. The Mission of the Friends of Jaclyn program is to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors. The program is based on love, support and friendship between the child, the team, and the child’s family. The program pairs a child with a college or high school athletic team so the child can be involved with the team as much as possible. The child is “adopted” by the team and becomes an honorary team member. The gift is in the relationship. The child gains a new support network of loving friends and the team learns to see the world with new eyes.
The Torrey Pines High School Lacrosse program, along with Denis Murphy, and the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, welcomes Jose and his family to the TP Lacrosse family.
The Torrey Pines Lacrosse Team, friends and family will be walking to support Jose Montano at the Children’s Hospital Shamu Walk on Oct. 6. Visit www.shamuandyouwalk.kintera.org/teamfaith
