Advanced Neurosurgery Associates (ANA), a group of adult and pediatric neurosurgery specialists practicing in New Jersey and New York, has established a partnership with Friends of Jaclyn (FoJ), a national organization that pairs children with brain tumors in a mentoring relationship with college and high school athletic teams.
The partnership between ANA and Friends of Jaclyn entails co-referrals of pediatric brain tumor patients, as well as working together to spread the word about this remarkable program to fellow colleagues. While FoJ partners with a number of foundations, according to FoJ Executive Director Michelle DeLeso, this partnership with ANA is the first such relationship with a neurosurgery or medical practice.
“We look forward to working with Friends of Jaclyn. This relationship expands our mission at Advanced Neurosurgery Associates to emphasize the comprehensive care and compassion we feel for our patients, including those with pediatric brain tumors, as well as our strong commitment to the community,” stated Dr. Arno Fried, founder of ANA.
ANA combines nearly 30 years of expertise in the field of neurosurgery and research. The team at ANA has training and experience from around the country, and the world, and prides itself on community focus and treating all patients regardless of income, background, geography or other concerns. According to practice founder Dr. Arno Fried, this unique partnership provides an excellent opportunity. “We have worked with hundreds of pediatric brain tumor patients, and we look forward to providing them with the wonderful services of Friends of Jaclyn, and to promoting this organization to our neurosurgery colleagues who may do the same.”
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FoJ) began when a 9-year-old girl, Jaclyn Murphy, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. In 2005, Jaclyn became connected to and was later adopted as an honorary member of the Northwestern Women’s lacrosse team. Jaclyn’s strength, courage, relentless spirit and joy for life inspired the players. The team began to play for Jaclyn and achieved a magical “perfect season”, winning Northwestern’s first NCAA national championship in 64 years.
In 2005, the Murphy family started The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FoJ) to improve the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families by pairing them with college and high school athletic teams.
As of November 2013, FoJ arranged its 430th “adoption” of a child with a team. Eligible children are diagnosed with current brain tumors or in remission. They are all ages up to 18 (after which NCAA rules restrict their participation). FoJ has paired children as young as 2, with the average ages from 8-12 years. At 18, children “graduate” from the program.
There are over an astounding 900 teams awaiting a child to adopt. “We know the children are out there,” states DeLeso. “We want to help them. As much as we hope for a cure, we also want to improve the quality of life for these children and their families.”
About ANA
Advanced Neurosurgery Associates (ANA) provide world-class care for a comprehensive range of neurological conditions for adults, children, their caregivers and families. ANA combines compassion with the latest research and technology in neurological medicine in providing the most effective, state-of-the-art treatment available. Renowned locally, nationally, as well as globally, ANA provides an unparalleled level of expertise in the field of adult and pediatric neurosurgery.
About Friends of Jaclyn
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, established in 2005, is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children and their families battling pediatric brain tumors and to raise awareness about this disease nationwide. For more information about the Foundation, visit the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation’s web site at friendsofjaclyn.org
ANA is a team of expert neurosurgeons and medical professionals, who combine their decades of knowledge to provide information, events, and articles on a range of neurological conditions.
