Academy boxer helps battle for life

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steve German
  • Air Force News Agency
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNEWS) --  The boxer keeps his hands up as his feet dance around a heavy bag. He jabs and strikes the bag with his gloved fists, but when this boxer steps into the ring with an opponent, it isn't the only battle he's fighting. 

Cadet 1st Class Colin LaFavor is a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy's boxing team and trains to win the next fight, but he recently helped a complete stranger in the fight of life.

During a blood drive visit at the academy, the 185-pound senior decided to sign up for the registry for the bone marrow as well.

Shortly thereafter, the bone marrow donor center contacted Cadet LaFavor. 

"They just gave me a call one day and said I was a match for someone who needed it," the cadet said.

"It was pretty painful afterward for the most part, but the reward I got out of it far outweighs the pain. Just the feeling knowing that you could help someone in the most ultimate way, I mean, helping someone carry on their life," he said.

Cadet LaFavor has not been in contact with the recipient of his gift, though he knows he helped save a life. Current procedures do not allow those who donate bone marrow to know who the recipient is, unless both parties authorize it in writing. Cadet LaFavor did find out the patient made a full recovery.  

"I don't know if the guy has a family, kids, but if he even gets to spend another week or month with his kids or family, the happiness that it gives me is one of the greatest feelings in the world," he said.

This lifesaver, eventually won his next fight, and heads on to the next round. But he also helped a complete stranger win the fight for life. 

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page