Team Impact, a non-profit co-founded byseveral local business leaders including Calnan & Associates Jay Calnan, uses college sports to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. It helped pair seven-year-old Hailey Olson (above), who has an inoperable brain tumor, with Bridgewater State University womens softball team. Shell be on the field Saturday for the Bears last game of the season and will likely see her teamat her birthday party this summer. She is one of 300 severely ill children who have joined with 7,000 athletes at 175 colleges and universities, playing everything from football to tennis to wrestling to dance.

Being accepted as a team member helps children dealing with illnesses like cancer, cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy enhance their self-confidence and social skills,enjoy school more, stay fit, and feel optimistic.The kidsgain a sense of belonging and the athletes a new perspective, says Jay whose firm recently topped off a 77k SF addition for Schneider Electric in Andover.In 2011, Team Impactwas launched Jay and several other CRE professionals.As Anne, mother of a child on the BC mens basketball team says, The best part is seeing the confidence he exudes.

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