Fighting to Walk

A recent episode of HBO Real Sports profiled a boxer who donates all of his prize money, over six figures in his career to this point, to Wise Young's spinal cord injury research organization in support of his long-time girlfriend. SPOILER ALERT, they've recently broken up *tear*, but remain friends. An amazing story. Here is a clip that's available on the web:

Web Extra: Boyd Melson 

About the episode:

Most talented amateur boxers turn pro with dreams of fame, fortune and title belts. New Yorker Boyd Melson's aspirations are slightly different. The 31-year-old boxes for his "soul mate," Christan Zaccagnino, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a diving accident at age ten. Melson donates every dollar he earns in the ring to spinal cord research with the hope that modern medicine will discover a way for Zaccagnino to walk again. A West Point graduate, he maintains a grueling schedule to train while working a typical nine-to-five office job. REAL SPORTS correspondent Frank Deford visits with Melson and Zaccagnino to learn more about this amazing tale of love and devotion. To contribute to Boyd and Christa's cause, please go to http://www.justadollarplease.org.
 

Some more cool news:  U of M is starting a clinical trial using human neural stem cells injected straight into the spinal cord to attempt to halt the effects of Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS. This is huge! As a U of M Phi Delt, this is even more special - Lou Gehrig was a Phi Delt in his day and the U of M chapter raises money every year to benefit ALS of Michigan.