There are things more important than football, and USC’s Austin Jackson proved that over the summer. Jackson donated bone marrow to his younger sister last month, putting himself and football on the backburner in the process.
"It was no hesitation. That's my baby sister, you know?"
LT Austin Jackson's inspiring story of donating bone marrow to his suffering sister headlines our coverage of Day 1 at USC Fall Camp. #FightOn
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) August 3, 2019
Since the age of 12, Jackson’s sister Autumn has had to undergo blood transfusions every three weeks as she fights Diamond-Blackfan anemia. This condition makes it impossible for a person with the disease to produce the red blood cells the body needs to fully function from their own bone marrow, leading to a number of other health problems.
Jackson underwent the tests to determine whether he could be a potential bone marrow donor last summer, and the tests concluded that he was a perfect match. He had no reservations about undergoing what is a painful procedure and stepped up to the plate when doctors cleared his sister to receive the red blood cells from his marrow.
As part of the procedure, Jackson had to have bone marrow extracted from his pelvic bone for more than three hours. The procedure is not only painful but drains you of energy, and afterwards he was placed on a restricted movement regiment for the next 10 days.
He has since returned to the Trojans, and he is being the careful with conditioning for now. Jackson has not been able to be a full participant in practice just yet because of the procedure, but he is on pace to be the team’s anchor at left tackle again this season.
The junior started all 12 games at left tackle for USC last season and is seen as a pro prospect. Hopes are high for both he and the Trojans entering 2019, and he should take the field when USC hosts Fresno State on August 31st. He is just one of four returning starters on offense.
H/T ESPN and USC
