Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/260491
W hen they learned that the mother of Nittany Lion lacrosse player Drew Roper was not responding to treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, David Glen and the other members of the Penn State men's ice hockey team had their bone marrow tested in the hope that one of them would turn out to be a match. Their e7ort did not yield a donor for Kim Roper, and as a result, the Match4Kim drive is continuing via Match4Kim.com. But to his surprise, Glen turned out to be a match for someone else: a 50-year-old woman who was battling leukemia. Glen was informed last spring of the results, and in December he was noti6ed that he would be a match. "There were so many people [taking part in the drive] that you didn't actually think that you would be the one picked for it," Glen said. "Now that it happened, I'm obviously happy." According to the Be The Match Registry, about 1 in 540 registrants will go on to become donors. Glen didn't know much about the process before taking part in it, but information provided by Be The Match helped ease his mind, as did his talks with doctors and trainers. He does not know the identity of the recipient, but is pleased that he was "able to be a match for some- one and able to help someone else out who is looking for a similar process" to the one that Kim Roper is seeking to un- dergo. An assistant captain, Glen is not one to seek out praise, but that is all he has re- ceived. He said that he has been through a range of emotions. "When I 6rst found out, it was a shock," he said. "A8er I found out what was in- volved, I was obviously excited." Glen underwent the 6ve-day transplant process at Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital. During the 6rst four days, he was given blood tests and injections to increase his white cell count. On Jan. 28, Glen had the last round of injections to complete his part of the process. His mother and girlfriend were with him for the six-hour procedure, dur- ing which he had to keep his le8 arm still. "They hooked me up to a machine with one needle in one arm and one in the other," he said. "You're kind of a human circuit. They harvest what they need for about six hours hooked up to the machine, and then I was on my way." He said it was similar to giving blood, but a little more painful. Glen said he has been surprised by the recognition he has received via social media and email since undergoing the transplant process, calling it "more than I could ever imagine." He was also acknowledged along with Four Diamond THON families at the Nit- tany Lions' game against Boston College on Jan. 25. It was one of three games he missed because of the donation proce- dure. The Nittany Lions lost to the sec- ond-ranked Eagles, 3-2, but students clearly appreciated Glen's selflessness. On the glass, a sign referred to his dona- tion as "the ultimate assist." "I'm just so fortunate to be given this opportunity," Glen said. "A few games is well worth the sacri6ce to give this lady a second chance to live her life and beat her struggle with cancer. It's a sacri6ce, but in the long run, it's nothing." Players and coaches rallied around Glen. Captain Tommy Olczyk said that "every- one on our team looks up to him for doing what he did." Head coach Guy Gadowsky likewise of- fered his full support. "We were on the same page from the word go," Gadowsky said. "He was proud to do it and have that opportunity. We are proud of him and proud to have the program associated with him." ■ Gift of life David Glen's selfless act inspires community PAYING TRIBUTE Glen was saluted on Jan. 25 prior to PSU's game vs. Boston College. He missed three games while recovering from a bone marrow donation procedure. | I C E H O C K E Y Penn State Athletic Communications