Given the pressures of intense competition that weigh heavily on the minds of members of the softball team, it is easy to forget that there are individuals in the world with life-threatening struggles.

However, this year has brought a new perspective to the squad.

By partnering with Team Impact, an organization that pairs children with life threatening illnesses with collegiate athletic teams, the squad has established a mutually beneficial relationship with a local child.

Six-year-old Christina Dangond of Weston, Mass., who is undergoing treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscles, has become the newest member of the Judges' team.

Pitcher Casey Ducinski '13 heralded the young girl's optimistic outlook as being truly inspirational for her and her teammates.

"Christina's happy-go-lucky personality and spirit is truly inspiring and heartwarming," said Ducinski in an email to the Justice. "We cannot thank her genuine and sincere parents enough to provide us with this unique opportunity. Despite going through treatments on a monthly basis, Christina always has an upbeat spirit. One would never know the true difficulty of battling a severe stage four type of cancer by looking at Christina and her family."

Ducinski said the team first met with Christina at the beginning of the semester when they visited her house to introduce themselves.
Then, on March 24, as part of the Team Impact process, Christina had her own "Draft Day," in which she received a locker and her own jersey-number one.

According to M??nica Lacouture, Christina's mother, her daughter's time with the squad makes Christina feel extremely important.

"It's been amazing," she said of Christina's experience with the team. "They've raised her spirits. It makes her forget what she's going through. She doesn't have any sisters, just two brothers, so this is a great experience for her."

While it's tough for Christina to attend many games due to her fragile condition, the team has done its best to make her feel like a member. On Draft Day, the squad traced her hand onto a poster so that they can give her a "high-five" before they head to Marcus Field for their home games.

Though the team's single-minded approach to win takes over when they take the field, Ducinski said that the perspective gained through their partnership with Christina has given the team a new perspective.

"To be able to brighten the days of a strong, young girl fighting for her life is undeniably gratifying."

It's been gratifying for Christina and her family, too.