From the sportscasting booth to the fight of his life, Jack Colwell’s journey is a testament to resilience, adjusting the game plan, and taking each day play-by-play.
“It’s been quite a ride I must say,” says Colwell, blood recipient and liver transplant survivor.
As a radio sportscaster, Colwell – also known as Action Jack, has announced play-by-play calls for countless sports games, but never thought his own life’s playbook would include a cancer diagnosis.
Colwell had abdominal pain for three years before he received the news that he had end stage bile duct cancer.
“I just felt something wasn’t right – my liver was deteriorating, and I found out I needed a liver transplant.”
Colwell’s name was immediately put on the transplant list, and he started radiation and chemotherapy treatments. On December 23, 2023, Colwell got the call that a liver was available. “I was in surgery from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Christmas Eve morning,” says Colwell. “I needed quite a bit of blood – what a gift that was!”
Thankful to blood donors for ensuring blood was available when he needed it, Colwell says “If you can do it, certainly do it! Someone is always in need.”
Post transplant, Colwell is grateful he is still here to have the chance work, be a husband, to see his daughters get married, and hopefully to enjoy being a grandparent alongside his wife. “Cherish life and live every day to the max,” he says. “I’m living proof that blood helps save lives. It’s a big reason I’m still here.”
A round of applause for Colwell who reminds us that in the great game of life, someone is always in need. Let’s answer the call!
Be a hero for patients like Jack. Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region 