{"id":8474,"date":"2025-07-14T14:57:30","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T18:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/?p=8474"},"modified":"2025-07-14T14:57:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T18:57:54","slug":"friendship-series-tilly-grace-harvard-womens-lacrosse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-tilly-grace-harvard-womens-lacrosse\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendship Series: Tilly & Grace, Harvard Women\u2019s Lacrosse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When Matilda, who goes by Tilly, joined Harvard lacrosse through Team IMPACT in October 2023, it didn\u2019t take long for her to find her place and her people. From day one, she was welcomed not just as a guest on the sidelines, but as a full-fledged teammate; and at the heart of that welcome was Grace Taylor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilly lives with a low-grade glioma spinal cord tumor, and her journey has come with countless challenges. But with the support of the Harvard lacrosse team\u2014and especially Grace\u2014she\u2019s found strength, confidence, and belonging in a space built on teamwork and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From cheering on the sidelines to team events and hugs after practices, Tilly and Grace\u2019s bond was something truly special. And that friendship extends beyond Tilly into the rest of her family too, with her older sister Josephine attending many Harvard events and being welcomed to the team alongside her. \u201cI love watching the girls\u2019 faces light up when they see Grace<\/strong>,\u201d Tilly\u2019s parents, Clare and Josh, shared. \u201cThey run over and give her a hug. It is always such a sweet, happy moment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But their connection went even deeper. Grace wasn\u2019t just kind and consistent\u2014she understood. Grace had faced her own cancer journey, and that shared experience became a bridge between them, creating a friendship rooted in empathy, strength, and mutual understanding. \u201cGrace has also experienced her own cancer journey and that made their bond so unique and special,\u201d Tilly\u2019s parents said. Because of this, Grace has a unique understanding of what Tilly and her family have been through, and that understanding has grown into a lifelong bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the season unfolded, the bond between Tilly and the team only grew stronger. \u201cThe girls know that they have this whole team supporting and loving on them<\/strong>,\u201d her parents reflected. \u201cThey feel connected, confident, and comfortable hanging with the team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Team IMPACT opened nominations for Teammate of the Year, Tilly didn\u2019t hesitate\u2014she knew exactly who she wanted to celebrate. The bond she shares with Grace is one-of-a-kind, and this video shows just how much that friendship has meant to her and her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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