12/01/23
Children battling cancer become a part of the Gadsden State Athletic Department
Gadsden, Ala. -- Gadsden State Community College’s student-athletes stepped up to make a profound difference in the lives of little boys fighting cancer when a special signing event signaled the addition of Joseph Nelson and Riley Cook as new members of the Gadsden State Cardinals family.
Flanked by their parents, the boys “signed” with the Cardinals on Nov. 30 at the Beck Conference Center. The partnership was organized by the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, which was created in 2004 to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric cancer.
Joseph Nelson, known as “JoJo,” is a 7-year-old from Shelby. He has had multiple brain tumors and is now in active treatment. His parents, Waylon and Casey Nelson, said he is responding well to treatment.
“When he was one and a half, we took him to the doctor with what we thought was a severe ear infection but was shaken to the core with a cancer diagnosis,” his father said. “JoJo will never play sports because of the titanium plates in his head, but he loves watching sports.”
The Nelson family, including brother Colton, had a relationship with Gadsden State Athletic Director Blake Lewis while he was a baseball coach at Lawson State Community College in Birmingham. Waylon said he wanted his family to reconnect with Lewis and become Cardinals.
“The previous relationship my team had with JoJo is proof that the partnership with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation is a great fit for children with cancer,” Lewis said. “The goal of the partnership is to increase the children’s morale during their fight with cancer.”
Riley Cook, an 8-year-old from Hayden is battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was diagnosed when he was 6 years old. His father, Aaron, said he and his wife, Jessica, are hopeful that he will have his last spinal treatment in January.
“His diagnosis did not stop him from playing basketball,” he said. “During his first season, he was undergoing treatments. He continued to practice on Thursday and play on Saturday even though he was sick.”
A social worker connected Riley with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
“When we told Riley about the Foundation and Gadsden State, he immediately said yes,” Aaron said. “He was excited to attend the signing event and to meet all of the players.”
Lynda and Denis Murphy, founders of the Foundation, attended the signing event and shared how the foundation programs are making a difference in the lives of 1,020 children nationwide.
The Foundation was founded after their daughter, Jaclyn, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2004 when she was only 9 years old. While in the hospital, a lacrosse team poster inspired her father to encourage hope that she would one day be like the players on the poster – happy and excited by a victory. Later, she was adopted by a collegiate lacrosse team as an honorary member.
“The uplifting encouragement she received from the team members while battling cancer led to her dream of having sick children adopted by a team of their own,” Denis Murphy said. “She wanted to help every sick child find a team to show them love, support and friendship.
“The foundation not only helps the child suffering, but it also helps the parents cope with their child's suffering. Research is important, but I am focused on helping these children today."
Lewis said the children have been welcomed to the Cardinal family for life.
“Just like Jaclyn Murphy, JoJo and Riley will receive encouragement through videos, text messages, planned events and games,” he said. “I’m honored and the athletes are honored to be a part of this connection with these children.”
Lewis said the partnership is a win-win for the Nelson and Cook families and the Gadsden State Cardinals.
"Through adversity comes discipline and endurance – key ingredients to the success and life of any athlete,” he said. “My goal is to use the connection with JoJo and Riley as a reminder to Gadsden State's athletes that these children's adversity is negative, but with discipline and endurance, it can be turned into something positive. I want to provide exciting experiences for the children, their family and our athletes to channel meaningful positive memories into their lives, whether in the game, the classroom or the sideline."
For more information about the Gadsden State Cardinals, visit gocardinals.gadsdenstate.edu. For more information about the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, visit FriendsOfJaclyn.org.
See photos from the event in this album.
