As sports fans we look at athletes as heroic figures full of fight, determination and the will to play another day, Mandi Schwartz was all of that and more. On the ice she was energetic, up beat and had the drive and determination to be a constant threat, but it was her lengthy battle with acute myeloid leukemia that showed her true will to win and gave a school and a nation that same fight.
Mandi was diagnosed in December of 2008 with acute myeloid leukemia, and had fought a long 25-month battle, which included a stem-cell transplant that looked to save her life, until her cancer returned in December 2010. Her family described the return like they “hit a brick wall at one hundred miles an hour.”
During her fight for her life, friends and family started raising awareness and funds for her cause. Through this help, a University-wide bone marrow drive was held in her honor. Schwartz’s determination to return to her normal life only made those around her stronger and gave a positive vibe.
Mandi’s long fight came to an end this past Sunday, April 3, 2011, as she passed away from the cancer. Surrounded by her family, fiancé and friends, Mandi has left a legacy that will never be forgotten. Her two brothers Jaden and Rylan played for Colorado College in this year’s NCAA tournament, and last summer saw Jaden get drafted 14th overall by the St. Louis Blues.
“She’s fighting through it and they’re still helping her as much as they can,” Jordan told the News Democrat just last week. “She actually came out a couple times to watch me and my brother.”
Just last week, Yale announced The Mandi Schwartz Marrow Donor Registry Drive at Yale; part of the nationwide “Get in the Game. Save a Life” campaign for the Be The Match Registry which will take place April 21, 2011.
Mandi Schwartz left this world as a hockey player, a fighter and an inspiration to other athletes and people who to are in the same fight.
For more information on the Be The Match Registry, visit http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/site/TR?px=1467307&fr_id=1450&pg=personal.
For more information on the National Marrow Donor Program, visit http://www.marrow.org/.
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