UVA head football coach Mike London and his wife Regina working to create a charity to generate awareness and increase participation in bone marrow registries.
The Londons’ oldest daughter, Ticynn, underwent a successful bone marrow transplant in 2003 to adress a rare genetic blood order known as Fanconi anemia. The couple was moved to action upon learning that the youngest son of Florida State Coach Jim Fisher had been diagnosed with the same illness in the spring.
A public service announcement featuring both coaches will air during the game on Saturday, and there will be a bone marrow registry drive near the stadium beforehand.
London told the Washington Post that the experience with his daughter "rekindled a desire…to be involved with the bone marrow awareness and donor programs."
He added that contributing to bone marrow registries offers benefits beyond Fanconi anemia.
"There are a lot of families out there, whether it’s blood disorders, cancers, leukemia, whatever it may be that awareness needs to continue to be raised," London is quoted as saying. "I guess the platform that both of us [he and Coach Fisher] have been provided, when it talks not only about our children, but other people’s children, other people’s loved ones, other peoples friends or whatever it may be, then it makes a cause well worth it."