Just when you think Jarrod Lyle can’t be any more inspirational, he takes to social media to announce he is winning his fight against leukemia … for the third time.
“Got the best news today since finding out Briony was pregnant both times. I found out that the transplant I had has grafted 100%,” Lyle posted on his Instagram account.
The popular Victorian professional made the decision to use stem cell therapy in a last-ditch effort to rid his body of the disease but having been unable to find a full bone marrow match for a transplant, he chose the option of a 50 percent match with his brother Leighton. However, such a decision came with a huge risk – Lyle was told the procedure only had a 25-perecent chance of success.
But odds mean little to Lyle. And while today’s news doesn’t constitute a full recovery, it gives his family renewed hope their life can return to normality.
“Another big step forward in my journey back to a normal life again. #happylylefamily,” Lyle added.
The positive news comes days after the US PGA Tour launched a fundraising effort, ‘January for Jarrod’ to help Lyle and his family meet the significant costs he now faces after undergoing his third bone marrow transplant.
“It’s of utmost importance for the PGA Tour family and the golf community to come together and help Jarrod and his family both spiritually and financially during ‘January for Jarrod’ month,” said Andy Pazder, the US Tour’s executive vice-president and chief tournaments and competitions officer. “Jarrod would be the first player to support others in their time of need, and now it’s our turn to help he and his wife Briony and their two young children, Lusi and Jemma.”
To make a non-tax-deductible gift to the Lyle family, do so directly at www.youcaring.com/januaryforjarrod. All proceeds will go directly to the family to offset day-to-day living, family and medical expenses.
Lyle’s first brush with the disease came in 1999 at age 17, as he was confined to his bed for nine months while undergoing chemotherapy treatments. It took another 12 months before he had the energy to walk a golf course again. Several years later, Lyle went on to earn his maiden US Tour card in 2007.
In his fifth season on tour in 2012, Lyle’s season was limited to just seven starts due to chemotherapy and rehabilitation needed for his second battle with leukaemia. Lyle made a comeback in December 2013 at the Talisker Masters in his native Melbourne. He then returned to the US Tour at the 2016 Safeway Open, having last played on tour at the 2014 Wyndham Championship.
Lyle was awarded the 2015 PGA Tour Courage Award for courage and perseverance, overcoming extraordinary adversity and making a significant and meaningful contribution to the game of golf. His award came with a $25,000 donation in his name to Challenge – Supporting Kids with Cancer, an Australian non-profit organisation that delivers daily support to children and families living with cancer.
Lyle has five top-10 finishes in 121 career PGA Tour starts, with a best finish of T-4 at the 2012 Genesis Open. On the Web .com Tour, Lyle has two wins, both coming in 2008, a season in which he finished fourth on the season-long moneylist.
