When it comes to reasons for missing a portion of spring practice, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better -- or more heartwarming -- one than that of Derek McCartney.
McCartney (pictured, No. 95) is a two-year starting defensive end at Colorado who is missing practice time this week as he deals with a health issue. The issue? McCartney has been found to be a match for a patient who is in need of a blood marrow transplant.
From the Boulder Daily Camera:
Buffaloes head coach Mike MacIntyre started an on-campus program three years ago that attempts to connect patients in need of a bone marrow transplant and suitable donors. McCartney is one of three Buffs players who have been a match, and a coach’s wife has been one as well.
After the redshirt sophomore donates his marrow, it could take upwards of three weeks to fully recover from the procedure. That, though, is a small price to pay for potentially saving a life.
“It’s a testimony to the type of person he is,” MacIntyre said of his defensive lineman. “Any time you’ve got a chance to save somebody’s life, it’s really neat. I told (the team) about it yesterday and they gave him a standing ovation.”
And, here at CFT, we’re give the young man a hearty standing ovation as well.
