CU Buffs' Derek McCartney opens up on life-saving donation

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BOULDER – Colorado Buffaloes outside linebacker Derek McCartney took the initiative and went out of his way to help someone in need last spring. Eight months later, he received news that his small gesture saved someone’s life.

McCartney participated in head coach Mike MacIntyre’s community service “Be the Match” program which is part of a nationwide effort that saves thousands of lives every year. The program matches blood donors with people who have been diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers.

Although the recipients in the program are anonymous, McCartney received a letter recently letting him know that his peripheral blood stem cells were a matched with a male in his late 50s or 60s; that man is now cancer free.

“The first thing I thought was it was an answered prayer, it’s a real blessing that someone was able to be helped by something like this,” McCartney explained. “I got the chills when I was reading it because it was so cool. I didn’t know what to expect when I read it. It’s just such a blessing to see how I could help somebody else.”

Not only did he receive gratification from the anonymous recipient but during practice on Tuesday, he was joined by his teammates and coaches as he was honored as one of the 25 players in the country named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

The Good Works Team can be described as one of the most coveted off-the-field honors in college football. It was established in order to recognize a select group of players who have dedicated time and effort to a service while enriching others lives. To be a candidate for this, the player needs to have displayed sincere concern and reliability, while also making a favorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved.

“He represents that well. He is a shining example of a young man who lives it, walks it, breathes it, and everybody respects,” MacIntyre said. “He’s also a very tough-nosed football player. He’s a very good student; he wants to be a doctor and he has an opportunity to do that. He’s just an outstanding young man.”

McCartney will attend the 2017 Allstate Sugar Bowl in January to be honored at halftime with the 24 other players apart of the AFCA Good Works Team. Although, with the way things are trending, McCartney and his teammates may have other commitments in early January.