NBC Philadelphia Martin Flatley Story

Martin Flatley, a TCNJ football alumnus, has donated bone marrow to help save a life. Flatley became involved in bone marrow donations through Get in the Game, an initiative of the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation. The Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation's mission is to increase the odds of finding lifesaving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant by registering young committed donors to the Be The Match registry.

Get in the Game is a program designed to educate college football players and their peers about the ability to save the lives of people diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers through marrow and stem cell transplants. Former Villanova football head coach Andy Talley began the foundation in 2010.

Three years ago, Flatley donated his bone marrow to Deedra Morgan from Michigan, who was battling leukemia. The pair were connected via the Be The Match registry. The Be The Match registry is the connection between patients searching for a cure and life-saving bone marrow donors. As the largest and most diverse donor registry in the world, it helps more patients get the transplants they need. Flatley and Morgan were a nearly perfect match.

After the donation, the two weren't allowed to communicate for over a year. At that point, the two began talking through texts and emails. They finally met in person at the Keep Life Rolling event hosted by the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation on March 7, 2020.

It was a highly-anticipated meeting between Flatley and Morgan. The two were brought on stage and embraced in an emotional moment. Flatley also met Morgan's six-year old son. 

"We've discussed that we've felt like we are already family," Flatley said onstage after meeting Morgan and her son. "But after now seeing them in person, we know that we will be a family for the rest of our lives." 

TCNJ assistant coach Rocky Hager has led the efforts in TCNJ football's bone marrow donations. Hager's involvement with Get in the Game dates back to his time before TCNJ, when he coached at Northeastern. Hager has paved the way in TCNJ football's partnership with Get in the Game since 2013, and the Lions have hosted an annual bone marrow drive ever since. The Lions have added 1,224 donors and performed five transplants.

Flatley didn't donate for the spotlight. He simply donated bone marrow because it was the right thing to do, and he knew he would help save a life.

"Something that Coach Hager said that resonated with me was 'to make a difference'," Flatley said. "He didn't mean it just on the football field, but in everyday life. I've always felt that it was our duty as citizens to help those who cannot help themselves. Most of us are privileged to walk around every day happy and healthy, so when the bell rang to participate and help someone out I didn't hesitate."

Flatley was a defensive back for the Lions from 2012-2015. He appeared in 34 games and made 103 tackles over the course of his career for TCNJ's defense. He came to TCNJ from West-Windsor South High School. 

"I feel fortunate having been able to make a difference in Deedra and her son's lives because she needed help," Flatley said. "I got to be her Superman and help save her life, but all I can think about is how wonderful it was to help make a difference. I'm very fortunate and feel an immense amount of gratitude for the Be The Match foundation."

TCNJ football's bone marrow drive this year will be on May 5. The drive will take place on campus in the Brower Student Center from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Coach Hager, Flatley, and the rest of the TCNJ football program send their upmost appreciation to Coach Talley, the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation, and the Get in the Game program.