FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's soccer welcomed their newest recruit, twelve-year old Luke Dillon yesterday afternoon, in a team-signing event held at Fitchburg State University.  Luke and his family reside in Westford and was recruited through a partnership with Team IMPACT, a non-profit organization based in Quincy, Massachusetts chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. 

Senior captains Brett Smith and Aidan Hanratty as well as their teammates embraced the opportunity to support Luke, who has Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy.  DMD is a muscle depletion disease which shuts the muscles down over time, while also the fastest progressing of the muscle diseases.  Although Luke can no longer stand or walk, he does get around well in his wheel chair.  Luke's mom Dawn describes him as a very social and upbeat kid who loves to be around people.  Luke did a presentation at his school about DMD and he did such a great job that he was asked to come to Harvard and speak before their medical students! 

Luke has a six year old little sister named Leah and a family golden retriever named, Buddy.  His favorites include: the number 7, America Ninja Warrior TV show, the color blue and the band One Direction, while Leah loves chocolate, the movie Frozen, the color blue and drawing all rate highly with her! 

The Fitchburg State Men's soccer leadership team believes that the support, friendship and being part of the team will give Luke the boost he needs both socially and psychologically that will, in turn play a major role in improving his quality of life. 

Luke will be with the Falcons at practices, games and team activities, including during both the pre and post-game game activities, whenever possible.  Head coach Werner Thissen is proud of his team for being so passionate and excited about this great opportunity to enrich someone's life: " Few teams are given an opportunity to work with Team Impact, and if we are able to help Luke and make him feel better for just a few minutes every day, then I think we will benefit from it as well, just as much as Luke and his family, while bringing prospective into our daily life. Luke will be right there to pick us up and I am very grateful for that." 

Team IMPACT is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team.  Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation. At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to expanded team-based support networks in order to significantly enhance their quality of life and to fill their lives with more love and laughter. Team IMPACT also strives to provide team-based organizations everywhere an easy and efficient way to have a powerful impact on the lives of children in their community. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 400 children with collegiate teams, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 10,000 student athletes.  For more information about Team IMPACT, please go to http://www.goteamimpact.org/

Release courtesy of Fitchburg State Men's Soccer Head Coach Werner Thissen