Sept. 21, 2010

On February 17, 2010 the Oakland University softball team, in partnership with Friends of Jaclyn, adopted Jenna Kast, a local 11-year-old girl who suffered from ependymoma brain tumors. The team was going to initially exchange text messages and e-mails to stay in contact with Jenna, but it turned into far more than that.

Upon meeting Jenna, the team recognized that her fever for life was infectious. The personality of this little girl was that of a winner; something the OU softball team strived to do every time they were on the field. The relationship between Jenna and the team grew faster than it takes to round the bases for a home run.

The team made several visits to Jenna's home, welcomed her for home games in the dugout and even supported her ice cream social, helping Jenna raise money for other kids facing serious health problems including terminal diseases. On one special occasion at the Kast's home, the team performed Baby by Justin Beiber, understanding that Jenna was a huge Justin Beiber fan!

"It was my hope from the beginning that our team would be able to give support and happiness to Jenna as she courageously fought and battled her brain tumors," said Associate Director of Athletics Stacy Mosely, who was also instrumental in getting Oakland and the Kast family together. "However, something greater happened. Our team received as much as they gave to Jenna and that is what true courage and unconditional love is all about."

Family and friends that surrounded Jenna during her fight were so touched by the team's compassion for Jenna. One friend of the family said, "It is amazing to see how these young women have responded to a situation like this. They are warriors for Jenna; they are wise beyond their years."

Unfortunately, on July 4, 2010 Jenna lost her battle with cancer and passed away. The news spread quickly throughout the Oakland University community and the softball team. As a team does, the OU softball team represented themselves as a strong unit that shared in the loss of Jenna along with the Kast family and their friends. At the time when the team initially adopted Jenna they also adopted Jenna's older sister Nancy who is a freshman at Troy Athens High School. The softball team maintains contact with Nancy, providing her with love and supportive communication.

This loving and mature character of the entire OU softball team caught the eye of David and Cathie Fital, friends of the Kast family. They were so moved by the softball team's involvement with the Kast family that they decided to set up a fund in Jenna's name that would benefit the OU softball team. Cathie and Dave shared their idea with other family members including Craig and Laurie Como and they too wanted to be involved in the opportunity. The fund, appropriately named the Miracles from Jenna Fund, will support the OU softball program by providing general assistance and a partial scholarship to one of its team members.

"This was a very difficult loss for the Kast family and our softball team," said Director of Athletics Tracy Huth. "The team was so involved with Jenna that they became part of her family. It was devastating news for all of us, but I know that the generosity of the Fital and Como families will go a long way in keeping Jenna and the Kast family entrenched in the hearts of OU athletics and others."

Jenna's parents, Rick and Paula Kast, are also very excited and supportive of this concept. "Being a part of this Oakland softball team meant everything to Jenna. The OU family brought so much joy to Jenna's life and has been a gift to our entire family. We are grateful that the love these girls shared with Jenna will live on in their hearts and the hearts of future OU softball players."

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