Jimbo Fisher and Mike London each have a child with Fanconi anemia
Saturday’s game between Virginia and Florida State is the third meeting between Virginia coach Mike London and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher.
WIth Virginia coming to Tallahassee on a three-game losing streak, the game isn’t as much of a marquee matchup as it looked earlier in the season. However, it’s still a very unique game. Both London and Fisher have children with Fanconi anemia. According to the Kidz1stFund, which raises awareness and funds research to fight Fanconi anemia, the chances of two coaches having kids with the disease – and competing against each other – is one in 990 billion.
Ethan Fisher and Ticynn London have Fanconi anemia, which affects 131,000 people every year. It’s an inherited anemia that is primarily a recessive disorder. If both child’s parents have a defect in the same FA gene, the child has a 25 percent chance of getting the disease. Those with FA are likely to develop cancers and nearly all of those affected need bone marrow transplants before adulthood.
According to the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, the median age for those with the disease is 33 years old.
The Kidz1stFund was founded by Fisher and his wife, Candi, and it has raised $2.8 million since it was founded in 2011. A $1 million check will be presented to the foundation after the third quarter of the game.
“Sharing the sidelines and bringing awareness to Fanconi anemia with Coach London is an honor,” Jimbo Fisher said in a statement. “At the end of the day, there is nothing more important than family, and Coach and I are fighting for much more than a football victory during this game.”
Florida State will also wear helmet decals for FA during the game. Kicker Roberto Aguayo and TE Kevin Haplea are also organizing a touchdown pledge drive. Fans can donate based on how many touchdowns the Seminoles score on Saturday.
“It’s amazing to me what those kids … you think they all care about themselves, but that’s not true,” Fisher said. “I mean, what Kevin is doing and what Roberto and all those guys … my hat’s off to them and the greatest thanks because it’s not just for us, it’s for all the other children who have it and giving them hope. I think these guys get the big picture a lot, and that’s what it’s about.”
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For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.com
For more Virginia news, visit CavsCorner.com
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
