[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 65 (Thursday, May 9, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CAMERON LYLE

 Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the 
tremendous selflessness and compassion demonstrated by Cameron Lyle of 
Plaistow, NH. Cameron is completing his senior year at the University 
of New Hampshire, UNH, and is a 4-year member of the school's track and 
field team. He elected to forgo his final two meets in order to donate 
bone marrow to a complete stranger who is battling acute lymphoblastic 
leukemia.
  Cameron Lyle is a graduate of Timberlane Regional High School and a 
standout thrower on UNH's track and field squad. He is a member of the 
National Marrow Donor Program's Be The Match Registry, which he joined 
as a sophomore along with many of his fellow UNH athletes by completing 
the mouth swabbing process that is the initial step in registering to 
serve as a potential bone marrow donor. Nearly 2 years later, Cameron 
received a call informing him that he was identified as a potential 
match for a 28-year-old man diagnosed with blood cancer. After 
additional testing, it was confirmed that despite incredibly small 
odds, Cameron's marrow was a match. Without hesitation, Cameron decided 
that he would give up participating in the final track and field meets 
of his senior year to potentially save another man's life.
  The story of Cameron and the anonymous recipient of his bone marrow 
demonstrate the importance of bone marrow registries such as the 
National Marrow Donor Program's Be The Match Registry. These 
organizations can provide a critical lifeline for those individuals 
suffering from immune system, genetic or blood disorders. In addition, 
bone marrow donor registries serve as a place where patients afflicted 
with these terrible diseases can turn in hopes of receiving a 
transplant. While these disorders can be fatal, bone marrow registries 
give patients the hope of finding a lifesaving donor.
  Cameron's decision truly demonstrates the strength of his character, 
but perhaps most importantly, his selfless act will undoubtedly never 
be forgotten by the man who received another chance at life. I know 
that residents of New Hampshire are extremely proud of Cameron and 
admire him for making such an important choice.
  Once again, I would like to recognize and thank Cameron Lyle for 
making such a powerful and life changing decision for both himself and 
the recipient of his bone marrow. I commend Cameron's family, friends 
and the UNH and Plaistow communities for the support they have shown 
him in the weeks before and since his surgery. His story is truly 
memorable.

                          ____________________