Temple University Athletics
Head coach Matt Rhule & Marc Schaffer at practice this week
Making a Difference: Marc Schaffer
4.10.13 | Football
When Marc Schaffer was a freshman at Temple University in 2008, he volunteered to register for a bone marrow drive the football team was doing on campus.
The test was easy: a simple cheek swab and some paperwork.
Under then head coach Al Golden, the Temple Owls set the national record by a collegiate team for screening 630 potential donors in a movement spearheaded nationally among football teams by Villanova coach Andy Talley.
Now five years later, Schaffer has been selected to help someone in need.
That someone is a young male with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. All other treatment options to this point have failed.
Contacted about a month ago, the 23-year old Schaffer did not hesitate when asked if he wanted to help.
“Once you get that call, it's no longer about you,” Schaffer said. “You have the understanding that this is the final option for the recipient. To me, it was not really an option of 'yes' or 'no'; it was, 'if I'm the best match, you've got to do it'. You're on the registry for a reason; you don't just sign up and give people false hope.”
Currently a graduate extern in sports medicine, Schaffer works daily with the football team he idolized during his college days. After earning his degree in athletic training in 2011, he decided to pursue a master's degree at Temple. He has the support of the football coaching staff and players during this life-altering decision.
“Marc's an amazing young man. He made a selfless decision years ago to take a couple minutes to go over and do the marrow drive and that's led to this opportunity now to make another selfless decision years later and help someone in need,” said head coach Matt Rhule. “I think it speaks volumes to who he is; it speaks volumes to the donor drive, and it should encourage all of us to get involved where ever we can and give whatever we can.”
Schaffer's decision to help was two-fold. Not only would Schaffer be helping a complete stranger in dire need, but he would be honoring an old friend, too.
“I'm also doing this with Michel'Le Daughtry in mind, because she was the reason why Temple football started this bone marrow drive,” Schaffer said.
Daughtry served as a student equipment manager. In July 2008, Daughtry (nicknamed Misha) was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer. After taking time off from school and undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, the psychology major was told in the spring of 2009 that she was cancer free. In September 2009 Daughtry learned the cancer had returned. She then underwent a bone marrow transplant.
The football team's third consecutive bone marrow donor drive in April 2010 was especially meaningful, dedicated to finding a donor for Daughtry.
But treatment, strong will power, and courage were not enough to fight this battle. Daughtry passed away in March 2011.
“This wouldn't happen if it wasn't for Misha,” Schaffer said. “She's the reason I'm on the registry. Temple football did (the bone marrow drive) to try to help her. It all goes back to her.”
This week Schaffer underwent a peripheral blood stem cell procedure. Unlike bone marrow surgery, the patient is fully awake for this procedure—much like giving blood.
“They put a needle into your arm and filter your blood,” Schaffer explained. “They give you back red blood cells, platelets, and plasma while taking out your blood stem cells. You're set up like you're giving blood except it goes back into you.”
After receiving the call, Schaffer had extensive bloodwork to confirm his compatibility. The week prior to the procedure he received daily injections to boost his stem cell count.
Accompanied by his mother Debra, Schaffer endured the five-hour procedure. All went well. He resumed normal activities, including football practice, the next day.
Schaffer's advice to others: “Just join the registry. If you do get that call, just realize that the decision doesn't just effect you; it effects an entire family.”
Asked if he would like to meet the recipient from the procedure, Schaffer responded accordingly.
“Oh, yeah. You're linked with someone now. I wouldn't hesitate in a heartbeat.”
Just like when he answered the call.
* * *
Every year, more than 12,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with life- threatening diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma for which a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor may be their best or only hope of a cure.
The National Transplant Assistance Fund, National Marrow Donor Program, Temple Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Group, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have partnered with several universities in the Northeast region of the country to help celebrate and raise awareness for Temple Hospital's 1,000th bone marrow transplant and the 25th anniversary of the National Transplant Assistance Fund.
Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals and conducts research so more lives can be saved.
To learn more about the cure, visit: BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.
The test was easy: a simple cheek swab and some paperwork.
Under then head coach Al Golden, the Temple Owls set the national record by a collegiate team for screening 630 potential donors in a movement spearheaded nationally among football teams by Villanova coach Andy Talley.
Now five years later, Schaffer has been selected to help someone in need.
That someone is a young male with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. All other treatment options to this point have failed.
Contacted about a month ago, the 23-year old Schaffer did not hesitate when asked if he wanted to help.
“Once you get that call, it's no longer about you,” Schaffer said. “You have the understanding that this is the final option for the recipient. To me, it was not really an option of 'yes' or 'no'; it was, 'if I'm the best match, you've got to do it'. You're on the registry for a reason; you don't just sign up and give people false hope.”
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Currently a graduate extern in sports medicine, Schaffer works daily with the football team he idolized during his college days. After earning his degree in athletic training in 2011, he decided to pursue a master's degree at Temple. He has the support of the football coaching staff and players during this life-altering decision.
“Marc's an amazing young man. He made a selfless decision years ago to take a couple minutes to go over and do the marrow drive and that's led to this opportunity now to make another selfless decision years later and help someone in need,” said head coach Matt Rhule. “I think it speaks volumes to who he is; it speaks volumes to the donor drive, and it should encourage all of us to get involved where ever we can and give whatever we can.”
Schaffer's decision to help was two-fold. Not only would Schaffer be helping a complete stranger in dire need, but he would be honoring an old friend, too.
“I'm also doing this with Michel'Le Daughtry in mind, because she was the reason why Temple football started this bone marrow drive,” Schaffer said.
Daughtry served as a student equipment manager. In July 2008, Daughtry (nicknamed Misha) was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a blood cancer. After taking time off from school and undergoing aggressive chemotherapy, the psychology major was told in the spring of 2009 that she was cancer free. In September 2009 Daughtry learned the cancer had returned. She then underwent a bone marrow transplant.
But treatment, strong will power, and courage were not enough to fight this battle. Daughtry passed away in March 2011.
“This wouldn't happen if it wasn't for Misha,” Schaffer said. “She's the reason I'm on the registry. Temple football did (the bone marrow drive) to try to help her. It all goes back to her.”
This week Schaffer underwent a peripheral blood stem cell procedure. Unlike bone marrow surgery, the patient is fully awake for this procedure—much like giving blood.
“They put a needle into your arm and filter your blood,” Schaffer explained. “They give you back red blood cells, platelets, and plasma while taking out your blood stem cells. You're set up like you're giving blood except it goes back into you.”
After receiving the call, Schaffer had extensive bloodwork to confirm his compatibility. The week prior to the procedure he received daily injections to boost his stem cell count.
Accompanied by his mother Debra, Schaffer endured the five-hour procedure. All went well. He resumed normal activities, including football practice, the next day.
Schaffer's advice to others: “Just join the registry. If you do get that call, just realize that the decision doesn't just effect you; it effects an entire family.”
Asked if he would like to meet the recipient from the procedure, Schaffer responded accordingly.
“Oh, yeah. You're linked with someone now. I wouldn't hesitate in a heartbeat.”
Just like when he answered the call.
by Cathy Bongiovi, Athletic Communications
* * *
Every year, more than 12,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with life- threatening diseases such as leukemia or lymphoma for which a marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor may be their best or only hope of a cure.
The National Transplant Assistance Fund, National Marrow Donor Program, Temple Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Group, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have partnered with several universities in the Northeast region of the country to help celebrate and raise awareness for Temple Hospital's 1,000th bone marrow transplant and the 25th anniversary of the National Transplant Assistance Fund.
Be The Match is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that matches patients with donors, educates health care professionals and conducts research so more lives can be saved.
To learn more about the cure, visit: BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.
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