The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Witt students turn out for coach who has blood disease

Track assistant Robinson has blood disease, and many volunteers offer to become marrow donors.

Wittenberg University assistant track coach Dennis Robinson assists Katherine Venable with her bone marrow registry as she swabs the inside of her cheek Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 durng the bone marrow drive in the university's student center. Robinson learned a year ago that he has a blood disease that requires a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

Staff photo by Bill Lackey Wittenberg University assistant track coach Dennis Robinson assists Katherine Venable with her bone marrow registry as she swabs the inside of her cheek Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 durng the bone marrow drive in the university's student center. Robinson learned a year ago that he has a blood disease that requires a bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Reds option Bray to Louisville
9:45 p.m.
Delhomme chose Browns for chance to start
9:44 a.m.
Carmona sharp, Indians beat Reds
3/18/10
UD downs Illinois State before record-low crowd
3/18/10
This time, the system worked for Flyers
3/18/10
> More sports headlines

By David Jablonski, Staff Writer Updated 8:37 AM Thursday, January 28, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Wittenberg University runners Lauren Woodard and Laura Schumaker didn’t hesitate to support their coach. It only took a pen, a cotton swab and a few minutes of their time, and they were registered for the National Marrow Donor Program.

Their coach, track assistant Dennis Robinson, was certainly appreciative. He suffers from a blood disease called myelodysplastic syndrome and needs a bone marrow transplant. A registry drive held in his name took place Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Wittenberg.

“He’s been so instrumental and influential in my four years here,” said Woodard, a senior on the cross country team. “He’s always encouraging, always motivational and positive. It’s nice to be able to try to give back to him.”

Woodard described the 64-year-old Robinson as the team’s grandfather. He knows his stuff, she said, and the team respects him — even more so as they see him fight health problems.

“He still shows up every day for us,” said Schumaker, a senior hurdler who graduated from Shawnee High School, “and we show up every day for him.”

Robinson helped assist with the registry drive, as he has done at his church and the YMCA in downtown Dayton. Robinson has been on the donor list for a year. He still feels healthy, but knows if he was further along he would be feeling symptoms of his disease.

“It’s heartwarming to see the kids come out and support the cause like this,” Robinson said. “It’s for not just myself but anyone who needs this. I’m doing it because I really need it. I’m also doing it to get the word out to others about this condition.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.

Share this article