Possible bone marrow match found for Justin Garza

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A "possible" bone marrow match has been found for Justin Garza. The Central High head football coach will step off the field to put his health care first.

More than 1800 people from around the country have joined the bone marrow registry in Justin's name. While that match is just a "possibility", Coach Garza is preparing for a full transplant in hopes that the possibility will turn into reality.

These days Coach Garza is glued to his email, waiting for news about a match, a possible match, or a treatment update for his Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He's decided to step off the grid iron, taking a time out from his team and focusing on himself, his family, and his health.

"I'm ready to take care of myself a little more I don't want anything to sidetrack my transplant or me getting healthy," said Garza.

It's a big decision, seeing as just last week the Grizzlies had a big win against Bullard and the coach believes the team will have a strong season.

Off the field, the coach has waged his own battle urging the community to step up and join the national marrow registry. He's looking for his match as are 18,000 others across the nation. His goal was 1,000 registrants, he got more than 1800.

Garza added, "For us 2,000 is four lives and I've heard rumors of people being contacted to go donate marrow that makes me feel wonderful."

No word on who or where his possible match is from but Garza is hoping it will work and is preparing himself physically and mentally for the transplant, and having the conversations with his family that no one wants to have. But, Garza is staying focused.

"I learned if you attack your fear and you don't let it harbor you can bring positivity from it," said Garza.

All this, while the Grizzlies try to launch a winning season. Athletics director Rich Clayton says Garza's, are some big shoes to fill.

Clayton explained, "I think you're never ready for someone to leave, when the keystone is in the arch, the arch falls and we want to make sure that doesn't happen."

More Justin Garza blood drives and marrow registry events are planned for Friday and through the weekend. You can find those details through Garza's Facebook page http://on.fb.me/1mwcDkM.