First District Coast Guardsman throws life ring to cancer patient By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brandon Hillard, First Coast Guard District It’s not every day that a service member saves a life while out of uniform. When Lt. Darnell Talbert said his recent experience was “the greatest opportunity of my life.” Talbert is a Reserve Component manager currently serving as the deputy chief of Reserve Force Readiness with the First Coast Guard District. He works at the John Foster Williams Building in Boston, which was named after the famed commander of the Revenue Cutter Service’s Massachusetts, circa 1791. Over the phone, he described an incredible story almost two decades in the making. Back in 2002, Talbert had just completed his freshman year of college at the University of Michigan. Born in San Diego, and a self- described “Cal-Texan,” he’s also a bona fide Wolverine. Even his COVID mask displays his Michigan pride. The summer before his sophomore year, Talbert worked at a sports camp as both a lifeguard and counselor for a nonprofit at the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology. Unfortunately, an unforeseen tragedy loomed. “One of my campers—he was always one of my favorites, his name was Nate—towards the end of the summer, he had developed leukemia.” Nate intended to enter middle school that fall. A major drive to locate a bone marrow donor ensued. Along with other motivated students, Talbert enlisted the help of underclassmen from various athletic clubs, sororities and fraternities. They registered through a civilian nonprofit bone marrow organization called “Be the Match,” also known as the National Marrow Donor Program. Many were tested, but to no avail. “Unfortunately, none of us was a match,” said Talbert. “He ended up not finding a match either, and ended up losing his life that fall.” According to the “Be the Match” website, “acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of white blood cells called lymphocytes.” This condition generates a profusion of abnormal white blood cells from the marrow in the bones. The disease degrades the immune system’s ability to fight infection. The cells multiply profusely, taking up space, which ultimately derails the development of healthy cells. Chemotherapy is the first resort. It decimates the unhealthy cells. Healthy stem cells are then transplanted in an attempt to create a more efficient immune system. Talbert went on to finish his degree in Sports Management & Communications and Movement Science. He worked at various jobs that ranged from college athletics to substitute teaching to working in special education. Talbert later decided to continue to make an impact by devoting his life to helping others, and he enlisted in the Coast Guard, embarking on a new chapter of his life at Training Center Cape May, N.J. Talbert’s career trajectory is a story in itself: after completing Maritime Enforcement Specialist A-school, he deployed to Kuwait on a short-fuse solicitation. This led to an active duty career, and Talbert eventually became an officer in 2012. Years went by, and one winter day in 2018, while stationed at the Coast Guard Academy, he got a call from a 202 area code. Since he was awaiting new orders, Talbert said he thought it was work-related. Instead, Talbert said he spoke to a person who surprised him by saying, ‘”’back in 2002 you signed up to ‘Be the Match,’ and we have found a potential match.’” “I was just in shock,” he said. “I didn’t even know what to say. All these emotions came up because I started thinking about Nate, and I was like, wow, this was like 10-plus years ago.” After regaining his composure, he heard himself say, “Let’s do this!” His first priority, however, was to consult with his wife, Kaitlyn, whose approval was key. He informed the operator, “I have a wife now!” Talbert was selected as a compatible match for a patient living in France for whom a bone marrow transplant was his last hope. He passed the preliminary screening, which confirmed that he was, indeed, a match. He then learned about a special Department of Defense program, which helps military members, including reservists and guardsmen. The C.W. Bill Young / Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program, also known as “Salute to Life,” guides members through the entire process. The program offsets all medically incurred costs, from hotel to airfare to companion travel. It even helps the member negotiate leave with their command. Shortly thereafter, Talbert was assigned a coordinator from Salute to Life to act on his behalf. His college best friend, Issue 2 • 2021 . RESERVIST 29
