University of Minnesota Duluth graduate student Curtis Cox is familiar with delivering big for the Bulldog football team. After all, the place kicker and 2023 First Team Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Special Teams honoree is used to being called on in pressure situations and coming through for his team.

But last spring, when UMD's Student Athlete Advisory Committee held a Be the Match drive in the Romano Gym lobby on April 20th, Cox was just one of over 400 UMD students that were registered with a digital form and a cheek swab. Little did Cox know that his donation would save the life of a two year old boy just months later.

Cox got an email from the organization this past November telling him he was a match for a two-year old patient in need of a bone marrow transplant in another part of the country. The native of Dodgeville, Wis. didn't hesitate.

"At first I was shocked to think that one person could have such an impact on a child's life," said Cox. "After doing all of my background research on the procedure, I felt it would be a safe procedure for me as the donor, and with it being so beneficial for a little boy and his family, it was the right thing to do."

Within the first week of December, Cox committed to doing the procedure that would take him to Washington, D.C. in late January.

"I went through a series of blood work and a physical in Duluth," said Cox. "After all my screenings were cleared, they set the date to harvest my marrow on Jan 30, and then on Jan 31st the child received his infusion." 

"For him to get the email and to not hesitate and to be excited, makes you proud as a coach," said UMD head football coach Curt Wiese. "We are here to win football games, but at the end of the day we want to be able to give back to the community and do the right things." Wiese.

After about two weeks of recovering from the procedure, Cox is back in Duluth like thousands of other college students. But Cox isn't like most college students – he saved the life of a two-year old boy that simply started from a Be The Match drive last spring. When asked what he would want other people to know considering participating in the Be The Match program, Cox made it clear how valuable it can be.

"Be The Match really takes the time to explain all questions and concerns you will have about the donation process," said Cox. "They also take care of all expenses for the trip in order for you to donate. The impact this whole process has brought to me is to be grateful for the life I get to live and be willing to lend a helping hand to others."