A Donation Hero

Cameron Lyle, ABC News

Of course the purpose of this blog is discussing kidney donation, but sometimes I encounter a story on other kinds of organ and tissue donation that I just have to share. Gabe Zaldivar wrote a great article on Cameron Lyle that is very inspiring.

Lyle is a track athlete at the University of New Hampshire. He is giving up his final collegiate season to donate bone marrow to a man he has never met. The recipient is a man only a few years older, a 28-year-old male who is suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Without the donation, the recipient has about a six month prognosis.

The donation means that Lyle can’t lift over 20 pounds over his head for several weeks, making discus, hammer and shot put impossible. He will have to miss the final two meets of his career, including the America East Championships.

Lyle says that he never really gave it a second thought: “I knew right away I was definitely going to donate.” His coach was supportive: “I told him, you either do 12 throws at the conference championships, or you give another man a few more years.” His mother is understandably very proud: “He’s my hero. I couldn’t be more proud of him and how he’s been so humble about it…I don’t know of many 21-year-olds who would give up their last year of track to help another human.”

As Zalvidar says: “Lyle is a fantastic athlete, but he is clearly an even better man.” Couldn’t have said it better. Lyle, you are a true hero! Thanks so much.

I have been thinking about joining the bone marrow registry myself. I am above the most needed ages, (18-44) but can still register. Kidney donors can register if otherwise in good health.

National Marrow Donor Program

Go to List of Resources on Kidney Donation