DURHAM, N.C. - In conjunction with the Duke Children's Hospital's Card Program, the Duke women's lacrosse team will sponsor a 2011 Holiday Card in memory of close friend Meg Wasley. The Holiday and All-Occasion Card Program features cards designed by school children and patients with the program raising more than $1,500,000 to improve the quality of life for the young patients undergoing treatment, including research endeavors and programs such as Camp Kaleidoscope.
Spearheaded by Emma Hamm and Sarah Bullard, the Blue Devils dedicated their contest against Dartmouth this past spring to the memory of Wasley. Titled 'Meg's Game,' the day featured a postgame lacrosse clinic and a silent auction to help raise funds for the Duke Children's Hospital, including the holiday card program. The card, designed by Avery Midgette, will also serve as the official holiday card of the Duke Athletics Department this season.
"I am so proud that our team's efforts (around 'Meg's Game') last season afforded us the opportunity to honor Meg and the Wasley Family by sponsoring a card in the annual Duke Children's Hospital Holiday Card Program," said head coach Kerstin Kimel. "I can think of no better way to continue her legacy than by supporting the continuing efforts of our world class Duke Children's Hospital."
The Duke women's lacrosse team met Wasley, who was diagnosed with an inoperable malignant brain tumor, through the Friends of Jaclyn program in 2010. The Blue Devils shared a special bond with the young girl from Holly Springs, N.C., playing dress-up, creating music videos and sharing phone calls and texts throughout the year. When her health permitted, Wasley would join the team on the sidelines for games as the squad's self-proclaimed biggest fan. Following her passing in January of 2011, the squad dedicated the season in her memory, wearing 'For the Love of Meg' patches on its uniforms in her favorite colors of green and Duke Blue.
For more information on Duke Children's Hospital and the Holiday Card Program, follow this link.