by  KUSI Newsroom, Hunter Sowards

TORREY PINES (KUSI) – Wednesday was a special day for the Torrey Pines Boy’s Lacrosse, who welcomed their newest player in a special “signing day” ceremony. It’s all in partnership with Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, which pairs children diagnosed with cancer to sports teams. This is the team’s third time participating in the program, with Head Coach Jono Zissi saying it’s an integral part of the program.

“We talk about gratitude every day with our kids and try to focus on something bigger than ourselves,” Zissi said. “Whether helping in the community, in school, using their platform of Torrey Pines Lacrosse players as something more.”

Torrey Pines Men’s Lacrosse is the only high school team in the nation to partner with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, which has paired nearly 1,000 children battling cancer with mostly collegiate teams. Zissi hopes this will inspire other high school teams to see the impact they can make.

Omar Carlon is Torrey Pines’ third adoptee, who at 10-years-old was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. Omar’s left leg was recently amputated, so his mother described what Wednesday’s ceremony meant to her.

“It’s very emotional for me because this is the first time he’s been out with so many people,” his mother, Nilsi Carlon, said. “It’s something I don’t want anyone to go through, it’s heartbreaking, but he’s such a good kid and I’m so happy for him.”

His mother, happy that he is now part of a sports team, something she feared would never be possible. The founder of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation even flew in from New York to be there for the occasion.

“Look at the smile, first of all, on his face that’s priceless. He gets to come to Torrey Pines and forget about the beast, they can’t get that in the hospital, no chemotherapy, no radiation, nothing more powerful than love support and friendship,” said Denis Murphy, the FOJF founder. “That’s what the team’s going to give him.”

The foundation is always looking to expand to other schools or universities. They ask that you contact their team if you’re interested in adopting a child suffering from pediatric cancer and make a lasting, meaningful impact on their life and treatment.

KUSI’s Hunter Sowards was live from Torrey Pines High School with more details on the excitement.