On Oct. 24, more than 140 cancer survivors, generous blood stem cell/bone marrow donors and advocates gathered at Arlington Hall for the inaugural Earl Young’s Team (EYT) Breakfast of Champions. EYT is a nonprofit dedicated to defeating blood cancer through increased awareness about joining the donor registry. The inspiring event highlighted the life-saving impact of blood stem cell transplants and the critical role that donors play in giving those with blood cancer a second chance at life.
“The goal of our first Breakfast of Champions event was to bring attention to the incredible need for joining the blood registry, while honoring those who have been the greatest advocates for this mission,” said Earl Young, Earl Young’s Team founder, Olympic Gold Medalist and leukemia survivor. “Each year, thousands of patients, including myself, rely on the selfless generosity of donors to find a match so that they may receive lifesaving transplants for a second chance at life. We are celebrating these heroes and issuing a call to action for others to join our team in the fight.”
Young, an Olympic Gold Medalist, was the recipient of a blood stem cell transplant in 2012 from a donor in Germany. He founded EYT in 2015 to heighten awareness about the potential lifesaving impact donors can have in joining the registry. Since its inception, EYT has registered more than 27,000 donors at over 300 swab drives across the U.S., which has resulted in 136 matches for patients battling leukemia, lymphoma and blood disorders.
EYT’s mission hit home for many guests in attendance, including the event’s emcee, Chip Waggoner of FOX4, who shared how his own family was impacted by blood cancer. In 2016, his mother-in-law received a blood stem cell transplant, giving his family 18 additional months with her. He also shared the story of Pike Peterson, a 14-year-old bone marrow recipient, who passed away in May 2024 from complications.
Co-chaired by Suzanne and Randy Baird and Donna and Reed Cagle, the Breakfast of Champions brought together donors, recipients, and supporters in a powerful show of unity and hope.
“Each one of us has an unrelated genetic twin and only 4 out of 10 patients find matching donors,” said Reed Cagle. “Young donors provide the best patient outcomes, which is why EYT focuses on donor drives on college campuses, where there are thousands of young people. Raising awareness about joining the registry is crucial, making EYT’s work invaluable.”
During the event, EYT champion and actor, Sheree J. Wilson, presented a surprise award to Nikki Solomon, a cancer survivor, in recognition of her continued advocacy and support for the organization’s mission.
At the end of the program, there was an emotional meeting between a donor and the grateful recipient whose life he saved. This was the first time the donor, Justin Bertelsman, and leukemia survivor, Susan Day, met face-to-face. The pair embraced as they came onstage, overcome with emotion as they told the audience their story.
Guests in attendance were able to join the registry on-site, swabbing their cheeks to see if they could be a lifesaving match for someone suffering from blood cancer or a blood disorder. In addition to registering people onsite, the Breakfast of Champions raised more than $175,000, which will fund donor drives hosted on college campuses.
source: press release