Twelve newcomers make their debut with the Gator soccer team in the 2019 season. The Gators welcomed one more to the newcomers list with Tuesday's adoption of eight-year-old Brooke Dunn of Leesburg, Fla.
Brooke, a Gator fan since birth, made her Florida allegiance official with her adoption through the
Friends of Jaclyn organization. She was diagnosed in April of 2018 with neuroblastoma, a cancer of the central nervous system and nerve tissue. The first step of the treatment, chemotherapy, started soon after the diagnosis. The treatment disrupted Brooke's plans to attend the Gators' Orange & Blue game (a big disappointment for Brooke!).
Friends of Jaclyn's mission is "to improve the quality of life for children and families living with pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancer. Friends of Jaclyn matches children with high school and college athletic teams to provide support for the child and spread awareness of brain tumors throughout the community. Brooke is the 261
st child to join a team through the Friends of Jaclyn program.
It was by happenstance that Brooke became part of the Friends of Jaclyn program. Her father explained how the family of Hayden Stone invited them to the 2019 Florida-Florida State softball game in Gainesville. Stone was matched with the Seminole softball team by Friends of Jaclyn. They attended the game, took pictures and then in the following days, the question was asked if Brooke would like to be a part of a team. He posed the question to Brooke and her younger sister, Addison (6).
"It was never a question. I thought I was going to get attacked by these two (daughters)," Trevor Dunn said. "As soon as I brought it up to them, they were so, so excited about it. I don't know if they were excited for the same reasons as I was. It is very difficult sitting and being in treatment for days and weeks at a time. Getting to be a part of something like this is absolutely phenomenal."
"We are really excited to have Brooke as part of our team," said junior
Lauren Evans, who herself is a cancer survivor after her diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia in November of her freshman year. "We talk about needing to focus on how the sport is bigger than just a game. This is one of those bigger moments for us. It will give us something more to play for.
"Speaking from experience, I know that in the dark times, you need something to positive to focus on and to look forward to. Brook already had a sister, but today she added 30 more. We are here to fight with her and to help her though the bad days."
Brooke is the fifth Friends of Jaclyn child currently part of a Gator team.
Hartley Georges – softball (age 9)
Sophia Murrilo – volleyball (age 3)
Jada Turner – lacrosse (age 10)
Bailey Warner - gymnastics (age 8)
The Gator men's golf team adopted Theo Kelly, age 7, this spring through the Team IMPACT and Golf Fights Cancer organizations.
Visit
Brooke's web site for more information about this brave new Gator!
