Jarrod Lyle: A survivor seeking to help others

Lyle with his Challenge mascot club head cover "Leuk the Duck" on the set of Golf Channel's "The Golf Fix."
(Photo courtesy of Golf Channel)

July 22, 2014

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.com

The first time Jarrod Lyle was diagnosed with leukemia, it took 250 pints of blood to keep the 17-year-old alive.

Fast forward 13 years later, and Lyle is told the leukemia has returned. This time he needs 750 pints -- and an umbilical cord transplant from an American and German child -- before the cancer goes into remission.

Small wonder, then, that Lyle feels so strongly about blood donation and bone marrow donations.

"They’re very insignificant gestures on people’s behalf that mean the world to somebody," he said. "And I’m thankful that there was enough blood products to keep me going. I’m thankful that this little girl’s family decided that this is a good thing to do.

"... It’s a pretty incredible thing to be able to donate blood that you know is going to go to somebody to help them live."

He also supports Challenge, an Australian non-profit that provides children living with cancer the chance to interact with each other and their families.

The primary focus of Challenge is to support the non-medical needs of ailing children and their familties. Lyle first got involved with the organization when he was originally diagnosed in 1999.

Lyle is an ambassador for Challenge, as is his good friend, Robert Allenby. He plays in the Robert Allenby Golf Day, which has raised millions for the charity, each year.

To learn more about Jarrod, "Leuk the Duke, blood donation and to view Jarrod's comments upon arriving in Kansas City, visit jarrodlylegolf.com.