Matt Hoffman, Football Star, Sacrifices Season To Save Cancer Patient With Stem Cell Donation

[tpsbmam]

For Rowan University football star Matt Hoffman, sitting out his junior year was something he was willing to do to save a life.

The athlete sacrificed his junior season to donate his bone stem cells to help Texas cancer patient Warren Sallach, CBS Evening News reports.

A year later, the pair were able to meet for the first time -- at the Gagliardi Trophy ceremony, where Hoffman was nominated for an award.

There were four finalists last night for the Gagliardi Trophy, basically the Heisman for Division III college football. But for finalist Matt Hoffman learning if he'd win wasn't the suspense of the night.

Meeting cancer patient Warren Sallach was.

Last year Matt donated his bone stem cells - in an anonymous donation that went to Sallach. Sallach is now cancer-free, thanks to Hoffman.

"How you feeling," Hoffman asked.

"Better now," Sallach replied.

When the docs told him he'd have to sit out the season because of the drugs he'd need to take to donate his stem cell, this was his reaction:

"It's a football game. They come and go," Hoffman said. "You have a man's life. It was very easy for me to choose."

I'm in the mood for lovely stories like this these days and happy when I find them. Thought I'd share.

And a standing ovation for Matt Hoffman!

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I'm proud to put you over the top for the Greatest Page!

This is a wonderful story...

Thank you!

[toastbutter]

2. My first recommend

and heartily deserved...

[tpsbmam]

6. Thanks, toastbutter and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Outstanding young man

and goes against the grain of MOST college athletes.

[emilyg]

4. Good human being.

[slipslidingaway]

5. knr - marrow.org link ...

http://www.marrow.org/index.html

What a great gift from this young man!

[aquart]

7. Somebody raised him right.