Bisons Will Honor Hero of Their Own
March 3, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Kentucky Bisons News Release
Owensboro, KY. March 3, 2009 - Jason York, 34, works with the Kentucky Bisons Basketball team as the Merchandise Distributor. Though Bison's gear is his main focus, Jason is a wearer of many hats doing whatever it takes to make the team successful. Looking a little deeper you will discover that he is something a whole lot more than a front office staff member for the Bisons. Jason York is a true to life, honest to goodness hero. He does not feel that way, but most people will most certainly, and respectfully have to disagree with him. Five years ago Jason, a husband and father of two stepped up and donated part of his liver to save the life of a little 4-week-old baby girl named Saylor. This Thursday at the SportsCenter, wearing a Bisons uniform he will be the team's "13th Man" as the club honors his life-saving sacrifice. Trust For Life and Kentucky Organ Donor along with the Bisons hope to encourage others to sign up as Life Donors this Thursday March 5th 7:00 PM. Volunteers will man registration tables at the game providing information on the different ways to donate and register.
Born in November of 2003, little Saylor Kirkpatrick was the apple of her parent's eye. To everyone's dismay shortly after she was born, Saylor was diagnosed with congenital liver failure and would need a transplant. After only four short weeks the Kirkpatrick's precious baby was slipping away from them. When none of family members livers proved to be the right size and no infant donor could be found Saylor was facing certain death.
Jason, then 29, heard the news from his family and quickly stepped in to help. "I think you're the perfect size," said a family member. "I know I am and I want to do it," replied Jason. "I've lost a baby before and there was nothing I could do, I have to try and help". Jason's first child had been stillborn, and Jason didn't want anyone to go through the pain he'd suffered. "I've had almost 30 good years," he said. "But Saylor hasn't had a chance to live at all." As he thought, he was a perfect match and wasted no time in getting prepared for the operation.
In Delaware the transplant surgery was completed and the medical team informed the Kirkpatrick's that Saylor did well and the future looked very positive for their baby girl. Now five years later both Saylor and Jason are doing well and speak with each other on a weekly basis.
Kentucky plays the West Virginia Blazers March 5th at 7:00 PM in the SportsCenter. The Bisons continue their pledge to support the community and help others. In addition to the Trust for Life registration drive, the team has also joined the fight against cancer. The American Cancer Society will be at the remaining home games taking donations via their "Coaches vs.. Cancer" fundraiser. The Bisons want to ask everyone to donate or volunteer in the fight against cancer.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
American Basketball Association Stories from March 3, 2009
- Bisons Will Honor Hero of Their Own - Kentucky Bisons
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