Lyndsey Boswell has built her life around two passions: family and lacrosse. As head women’s lacrosse coach at High Point UniversityShe has led her program to championships, cultivated generations of strong young women and built a culture rooted in heart and humility. But beyond the scoreboard, her greatest victories have been personal: forged in the light of cancer and shared through her unwavering dedication to others.
A few years ago, Boswell received a diagnosis that would change everything. The fierce competitor and mentor suddenly found herself in the fight of her life. Cancer tested her strength, her patience and her faith, but it never broke her spirit.
Through it all, she learned to celebrate the small victories. “Every clear scan, every healthy day, every moment with my family – that’s a victory,” she often says. Today she proudly shares that she is NED – No evidence of disease – and her journey has become a beacon of hope for anyone dealing with their own struggles.
A friendship that grew into a movement
Boswell’s relationship with the Friends of the Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ)started through the Adopt-A-Child Programin which children battling cancer are paired with sports teams for lifelong bonds of love and support. Over the years, her High Point women’s lacrosse teams have adopted this three childrenand embraced them as part of their family.
“It’s impossible not to be changed,” Boswell says. “These kids remind us what strength and joy really look like. They taught my players to play for something bigger than themselves.”
Through these relationships, Boswell and her players found new meaning in the sport – not just as competition, but as connection. Every visit, every game day and every team celebration became a reminder of how powerful love and community can be in times of illness.
Her commitment did not stop with her team. She created the Annual 5K Mason Runa fundraiser named in honor of Mason LaVack, one of her adopted children, to support FOJ’s mission to improve the quality of life for children battling childhood cancer. Every year, hundreds of runners, families and supporters come together to celebrate life, honor the warriors and remember the lost – while raising money to help more children find their own ‘team’.
Faith, family and fulfillment
Off the field, Boswell’s life is based on gratitude. She and her husband Jeff are blessed with a beautiful, healthy family – a blessing she never takes for granted. Her experience as a survivor has changed her perspective, deepened her empathy and sharpened her purpose.
“When you’ve been through something like this, you learn to slow down, love deeply, and lead with perspective,” she says. “I coach differently now. I listen more, I appreciate more, and I remind my players every day that life is the greatest game we will ever play.”
Her players see that authenticity – and convey it. Under her leadership, the High Point program has become known not only for its athletic excellence, but also for its character, compassion and connection.
Inspiring the SPREAD NED movement
As the founder of the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, I have met countless courageous families and survivors, but Lyndsey’s journey has personally inspired me in a profound way. Her resilience, her generosity, and her love for her players and adopted FOJ children reminded me why our mission is so important.
Her strength gave me the impetus to keep the mission alive and expand our vision SPREAD THE NETHERLANDS – a movement that celebrates every survivor, honors every warrior, and unites every cause.
NED – “No evidence of disease” – started as a medical term, but stories like Lyndsey’s have made it so much more. It is a message of hope that extends beyond childhood cancer all cancers and diseasesto remind the world that collaboration is power and that healing begins with connection.
A legacy of love and leadership
Today, Coach Lyndsey Boswell stands as one survivor, mentor and NEDvocate – living proof that adversity can stimulate purpose. Through her leadership at High Point and her continued partnership with Friends of Jaclyn, she shows others how to live with courage, gratitude and grace.
Her journey unites people – survivors, athletes, families and communities – around a single, powerful truth: together we are stronger.
Because when we wear our NED shirts, donate them to others and share our stories, we don’t just spread awareness – we spread hope.
And through leaders like Lyndsey Boswell, we are reminded that when we work together – when we act together – we make the NED more than a term. We’ll make one team. A family. A movement.
Together we can do that SPREAD THE NETHERLANDS.
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