Syracuse Welcomes Graeclin Russo to the Team
10/7/2019 6:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — At just nine years old, Graeclin "Bean" Russo has already touched the lives of more people than she knows. Today, she became the newest member of the Syracuse women's soccer team.
The Orange, working alongside Team IMPACT, non-profit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, held a letter of intent signing ceremony for Graeclin Monday morning at her school, Reynolds Elementary, in an assembly that was attended by the entire student body and staff. Following the signing, head coach Nicky Adams presented Graeclin with her own Syracuse women's soccer jersey and scarf.
Graeclin lives with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a type of cancer that can damage tissue or cause lesions to form in one or more places in the body. She was diagnosed with the disease after her family noticed a very large bump on her head that turned out to be a tumor. The tumor was removed after a seven hour surgery, but Graeclin is still fighting LCH.
The Orange learned about Graeclin's story in August and decided to adopt her into the program. For the last few weeks, she has spent time with the coaches and student-athletes, attended games, and has made a deep connection with the entire Syracuse women's soccer program. On game days, every student-athlete wears "Bean" on tape they have on their wrists.
"Graeclin is such an amazing kid and her family has been unbelievable," Adams said. "They have given us so much inspiration and we're just so honored to be a part of her family and follow her through this journey. To see Mrs. Russo and how strong she's being for Graeclin—she's definitely a great role model."
Junior Shannon Aviza spearheaded the idea for the team to adopt Graeclin after following the women's lacrosse team's journey with Maddy Hertweck last year.
"I saw the lacrosse team do it and saw how it inspired them and had such a great impact on their team and their season, so I wanted our team to get involved," Aviza said. "If every single Syracuse team could get involved or do something like this it just really shows that it's more than our sport and we're doing something more than our team. Just seeing Graeclin come up—I know all of us were super emotional."
The Orange, working alongside Team IMPACT, non-profit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, held a letter of intent signing ceremony for Graeclin Monday morning at her school, Reynolds Elementary, in an assembly that was attended by the entire student body and staff. Following the signing, head coach Nicky Adams presented Graeclin with her own Syracuse women's soccer jersey and scarf.
Graeclin lives with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a type of cancer that can damage tissue or cause lesions to form in one or more places in the body. She was diagnosed with the disease after her family noticed a very large bump on her head that turned out to be a tumor. The tumor was removed after a seven hour surgery, but Graeclin is still fighting LCH.
Today was very special for us as we signed Graeclin "Bean" Russo to our program! Bean is in the midst of fighting Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a type of cancer. From the moment we met Bean, everyone fell in love with her energy. Welcome to the Orange, Graeclin! 🍊⚽️🧡🧡🧡 pic.twitter.com/k0PN1rITCz
— Syracuse Women's Soccer (@cusewsoc) October 7, 2019
The Orange learned about Graeclin's story in August and decided to adopt her into the program. For the last few weeks, she has spent time with the coaches and student-athletes, attended games, and has made a deep connection with the entire Syracuse women's soccer program. On game days, every student-athlete wears "Bean" on tape they have on their wrists.
"Graeclin is such an amazing kid and her family has been unbelievable," Adams said. "They have given us so much inspiration and we're just so honored to be a part of her family and follow her through this journey. To see Mrs. Russo and how strong she's being for Graeclin—she's definitely a great role model."
Junior Shannon Aviza spearheaded the idea for the team to adopt Graeclin after following the women's lacrosse team's journey with Maddy Hertweck last year.
"I saw the lacrosse team do it and saw how it inspired them and had such a great impact on their team and their season, so I wanted our team to get involved," Aviza said. "If every single Syracuse team could get involved or do something like this it just really shows that it's more than our sport and we're doing something more than our team. Just seeing Graeclin come up—I know all of us were super emotional."
Just a quick glimpse of what we experienced this morning with Bean 🧡🧡 @GoTeamIMPACT pic.twitter.com/6GwI3WDSpT
— Syracuse Women's Soccer (@cusewsoc) October 7, 2019
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