Miami Dolphins tackle Austin Jackson knows plenty about sacrifice. The kind that it takes to get better on the football field? Sure. But that’s nothing compared to the sacrifices he’s made in his past — most notably the decision to help save his sister’s life. And now he’s hoping that you, too, will consider making that kind of sacrifice for someone in need.
Jackson’s spoke on Tuesday when asked about the decision to donate bone marrow to his little sister ahead of his final season at the University of Southern California — a move that put family ahead of everything. And what he shared was that he, along with the Miami Dolphins, are providing fans with the opportunity to give the gift of life to someone who may desperately need it.
“About two years ago I became a donor for my younger sister, who has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, which is a rare blood disorder. She was born with but like a lot of kids with blood cancers, blood disorders and any type of anemias, their condition worsens as they get older. So about two years ago, I became a bone marrow transplant donor for my little sister, and I entered what Be The Match has, which is called the registry, where you sign up and get in the registry to become a donor. Tomorrow we’re having a truck come out and I want to encourage more people to donate,” said Jackson.
“There’s like a rate of 30 percent – there’s a 30 percent chance that a minority would get a donor if they don’t immediately match with one of their siblings versus an 85 percent chance success rate that a majority person would get a donor if they don’t match in their family. Really, I just want to start getting the word out and talking about it. I went through it in the middle of a football season and came back and still had a great season. It’s not as bad as you think and it’s such an easy way to save a life. So easy.”
Planning on attending Miami’s Wednesday practice at Baptist Health Training Facility? Then hear Austin Jackson out: you might just save a life in the process.
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