Looks like the women's basketball team has joined the men's lacrosse team in partnering with Team IMPACT. Good for them and hopefully it helps these kids.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland women’s basketball team partnered with Team IMPACT, a national organization based in Boston, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
The Terrapins drafted Ashlyn Barrett, a 5-year old girl from Annapolis, Md., Saturday afternoon, officially signing her on as a member of the team. Ashlyn deals with multiple diagnoses that complicate her daily life.
Ashlyn was born with a heart defect called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), which consists of an extremely sped up heart rate. Ashlyn also deals with muscular dystrophy, cyclic vomiting syndrome and asthma.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ashlyn and her entire family into our basketball family,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “They are a perfect fit. We can't wait to create so many wonderful memories together."
Ashlyn has spent time with the Terrapins over the last few months, watching movies and accompanying them to many functions.
“It’s so special that we can spend time with a young girl who is so inspiring,” Maryland senior Malina Howard said. “She brings so much happiness whenever we see her and she’s such a fighter. She makes us want to be better every day and we hope we can bring her some joy as well.”
Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams local to where they live and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through Graduation.
“I can say that Ashlyn finally feels a part of something,” said Ashlyn’s mom, Jen Barrett. “She watches her father coach her sister’s soccer and basketball teams but never has she had that camaraderie and feeling of accomplishing goals greater than herself. Team IMPACT and the Maryland women's basketball team has not only provided her this amazing experience but have truly embraced her as part of the family. We are truly blessed.”
Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 700 children with collegiate teams at over 300 institutions in 43 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 20,000 student athletes.
For more on Team IMPACT, log on to www.GoTeamIMPACT.org or check out Team IMPACT out on Twitter at @GoTeamIMPACT.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland women’s basketball team partnered with Team IMPACT, a national organization based in Boston, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.
The Terrapins drafted Ashlyn Barrett, a 5-year old girl from Annapolis, Md., Saturday afternoon, officially signing her on as a member of the team. Ashlyn deals with multiple diagnoses that complicate her daily life.
Ashlyn was born with a heart defect called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), which consists of an extremely sped up heart rate. Ashlyn also deals with muscular dystrophy, cyclic vomiting syndrome and asthma.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ashlyn and her entire family into our basketball family,” head coach Brenda Frese said. “They are a perfect fit. We can't wait to create so many wonderful memories together."
Ashlyn has spent time with the Terrapins over the last few months, watching movies and accompanying them to many functions.
“It’s so special that we can spend time with a young girl who is so inspiring,” Maryland senior Malina Howard said. “She brings so much happiness whenever we see her and she’s such a fighter. She makes us want to be better every day and we hope we can bring her some joy as well.”
Team IMPACT children are drafted onto college athletic teams local to where they live and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through Graduation.
“I can say that Ashlyn finally feels a part of something,” said Ashlyn’s mom, Jen Barrett. “She watches her father coach her sister’s soccer and basketball teams but never has she had that camaraderie and feeling of accomplishing goals greater than herself. Team IMPACT and the Maryland women's basketball team has not only provided her this amazing experience but have truly embraced her as part of the family. We are truly blessed.”
Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 700 children with collegiate teams at over 300 institutions in 43 states, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 20,000 student athletes.
For more on Team IMPACT, log on to www.GoTeamIMPACT.org or check out Team IMPACT out on Twitter at @GoTeamIMPACT.
