Key Takeaways
- Ed Lacerte, a longtime Boston Celtics and USA Basketball athletic trainer, has been diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia and needs a blood stem cell transplant to beat the rare and aggressive form of blood cancer.
- The NBA, Celtics, and USA Basketball have partnered with the NMDP registry to find a donor for Lacerte and others, encouraging people to sign up as donors.
- Registering as a donor involves swabbing the inside of your cheeks, a process that takes just 20 seconds, and can potentially save a life.
- Lacerte’s story is a unique opportunity to spread awareness about the importance of stem cell donation and the need for young, diverse, and committed donors.
- The NMDP registry contains more than 9 million donors in the United States and more than 40 million globally, but finding a match for Lacerte is more difficult due to his rare HLA typing.
Introduction to Ed Lacerte’s Diagnosis
Ed Lacerte, a renowned athletic trainer for the Boston Celtics and USA Basketball, has been diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. The diagnosis was made in November, and since then, Lacerte has been receiving treatment and preparing for a blood stem cell transplant, which is the only curative option for his condition. As news of his diagnosis spread, the basketball community has come together to support Lacerte, with former players, coaches, and teams reaching out to offer their help and encouragement.
The Importance of Stem Cell Donation
To beat cancer, Lacerte needs a blood stem cell transplant, which requires a matching donor. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) registry is working to find a match for Lacerte, and the NBA, Celtics, and USA Basketball are partnering with the registry to encourage people to sign up as donors. Registering as a donor is a simple process that involves swabbing the inside of your cheeks, a process that takes just 20 seconds. This small act can potentially save a life, and the NMDP registry is seeking donors who are young, diverse, and committed to helping patients like Lacerte.
Lacerte’s Legacy and Impact
Ed Lacerte has spent decades working in the basketball world, and his impact on the sport is immeasurable. As the longest-tenured athletic trainer in Celtics history, Lacerte has worked with some of the greatest players and teams of all time, including the "Dream Team" that won the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. He has also worked with USA Basketball since 2018, helping to develop the next generation of players. Lacerte’s dedication, expertise, and passion for the sport have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, and his legacy extends far beyond his own accomplishments.
The Search for a Match
The NMDP registry contains more than 9 million donors in the United States and more than 40 million globally, but finding a match for Lacerte is more difficult due to his rare HLA typing. Doctors look for similarities between unique cell proteins called human leukocyte antigens (HLA) to match blood stem cell donors with patients. Lacerte’s HLA typing is somewhat rare, which makes finding a match more challenging. However, the NMDP registry is working tirelessly to find a match for Lacerte, and the basketball community is coming together to support him and raise awareness about the importance of stem cell donation.
The Power of Sports and Community
The outpouring of support for Ed Lacerte is a testament to the power of sports and the relationships he has built throughout his career. From former players like Magic Johnson and Paul Pierce to current teams and organizations, the basketball community is coming together to help Lacerte and raise awareness about the importance of stem cell donation. The NBA, Celtics, and USA Basketball are partnering with the NMDP registry to encourage people to sign up as donors, and the response has been overwhelming. As Lacerte’s family and friends work to find a match for him, they are also inspired by the love and support that is pouring in from all corners of the basketball world.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Ed Lacerte’s story is a reminder of the importance of stem cell donation and the need for young, diverse, and committed donors. As the basketball community comes together to support Lacerte, we are reminded of the power of sports to inspire, to heal, and to bring people together. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35 and are interested in registering as a donor, please visit nmdp.org/nba to learn more and take the first step towards potentially saving a life. Together, we can make a difference and help Ed Lacerte and others like him find the matches they need to beat cancer.