Boston College Athletics
Q&A With Kathleen Murphy
August 31, 2015 | Field Hockey
Chestnut Hill, Mass. – The inspiration for Boston College’s 4-0 win over Quinnipiac on Sunday during its annual MS game stems back nine years.
In April of 2007, then-Eagles forward Kathleen Murphy made a visit to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary after complaining of pain in her eye. After undergoing several tests and seeing a neurologist, Murphy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
MS, a disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and body, affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide. Refusing to let the disease win, Murphy battled through her senior season that fall, scoring two goals and recording a career-high three assists in 20 appearances.
Beginning in 2007, the Boston College athletics department decided to join Murphy in her fight. Several teams make the MS walk every year to raise money and awareness while the field hockey team holds an annual game in honor of Murphy.
Murphy sat down to talk about her experiences fighting the disease.
What was your initial reaction to the news?
I think the hardest part was not knowing. One, I didn’t know what MS was, and two, I didn’t know if I even had it at this point. I don’t even think I cried in that room. I was more in shock, and to be honest, I wouldn’t have even known what to cry about. As I Googled it on my way home, it hit me hard.
Was there any anger or frustration on your part at any point?
Anger would be an understatement. It took a week of feeling sorry for myself and questioning why this would happen to me. After a week or so I realized I couldn’t be sad forever.
At what point did you decide you wanted to try and raise awareness for MS?
I think after the week of feeling sorry for myself I knew I had to get up and do something. I figured if I had this, I better do something about it. Besides, I wasn’t going to let this disease break me, or more importantly, stop me from living my life.
What was the response like from your family and friends?
My mom and dad have always been very supportive. I get my strength, determination and commitment from them. Also, it was a blessing to be part of a team during this. I remember playing a game against UNC and having to come off the sideline, needing a big jug of Gatorade water dumped on me because the head and MS was tough to deal with. I remember texting my coach and teammates saying I couldn’t make it to a morning lift because I didn’t have enough energy and then just showing up because I couldn’t sit in bed and let MS win. I will be forever grateful that I had my family and teammates there to support me.
What does the outpouring of support from the Boston College community mean to you?
When we started the MS game and MS walk with my team, they had witnessed what I was going through and I knew that they were there to support me no matter what. It is amazing that the field hockey team still plays the game and does the walk years after I graduated. It means the world to me.
What are your goals for your efforts currently and what do you hope to accomplish?
I just want to continue raising money to help doctors and researchers in their efforts to find a cure. I guess I want to make sure people know what MS is and to continue to support others who have it.
If there’s one thing you’ve learned from your fight, what would that be?
Mind over matter.
