DUDLEY, Mass. (6/10/2026) – What began as a simple decision to join a donor registry at a campus awareness event led to a life-changing opportunity for a member of the Nichols College football program. Former Nichols football student-athlete and current graduate assistant coach
Liam Murphy recently completed a stem cell donation through the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), helping provide a potential second chance at life for a patient battling leukemia.
The journey began during his time as a student-athlete when the Nichols football coaching staff partnered with NMDP to host an on-campus awareness event. Players and students were encouraged to join the registry and learn more about how they could help patients in need of life-saving transplants.
"I was first introduced to the NMDP through the Nichols College football coaching staff," said Murphy. "We participated in an event on campus to raise awareness about the program and encourage students to join the registry, just as we had. At the time, I never imagined that I would one day receive a call telling me I was a potential match for a patient in need."
That call came during March of his senior year. After several rounds of testing, screenings, and communication with NMDP representatives, he learned that he was the best match for a patient in need of a stem cell transplant.
"Learning that I had been selected out of thousands of potential donors was both humbling and exciting," he said. "Knowing that I had the opportunity to potentially make a life-changing difference for someone and their family made the experience incredibly meaningful."
For Murphy, the decision to move forward with the donation was rooted in values that have long been emphasized within the Nichols football program. One of the program's core principles is selflessness, a lesson reinforced daily by the coaching staff throughout his playing career and now in his role as a graduate assistant.
"Throughout my time as a player and now as a graduate assistant, our coaches have constantly emphasized the importance of putting others before ourselves and serving something bigger than our individual interests," he said. "Looking back, joining the NMDP registry was a reflection of those values. It was an opportunity to help someone else without expecting anything in return."
Throughout the process, he worked closely with NMDP staff members to coordinate medical evaluations, appointments, travel arrangements, and preparation for the donation procedure.
"They were incredibly supportive and helped me understand every step of the journey, ensuring that I felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process," he said. The donation took place this summer in Fort Worth, Texas, marking the culmination of a journey that began with a simple registry sign-up years earlier.
"When I learned I was the match, I immediately thought about the lessons our coaches had taught us about selflessness and service," he said. "This was an opportunity to put those values into action. While the donation process required time, commitment, and some sacrifice, those challenges were insignificant compared to the possibility of helping someone continue their fight against leukemia and giving them hope for the future."
Reflecting on the experience, Murphy said the opportunity reinforced the impact that small acts of service can have on others.
"What started as a simple decision to join the registry at a campus event ultimately became an opportunity to potentially give someone a second chance at life," he said. "It reinforced the idea that even small actions can have a tremendous impact on another person."
He also expressed gratitude to those who supported him throughout the process. "I want to thank my parents, coaches, teammates, and everyone who supported me throughout this process," he said. "They helped shape me into the person I am today and instilled the values that guided me through this experience."
As he shares his story, Murphy hopes others will consider becoming donors themselves. "I would encourage anyone who is eligible to learn more about the NMDP and consider joining the registry," he said. "Registering takes only a few minutes, but it has the potential to make a life-changing difference for someone in need. You never know when you might be the person who can provide hope and a second chance to another individual and their family."
The Nichols College football program has long emphasized service, leadership, and community impact. Through one selfless act,
Liam Murphy exemplified those values in a way that extends far beyond the football field.
