Story Links
Jan. 5, 2004
By Chip Rogers
In just two years wearing a Cavalier uniform, senior captain Todd Billet has already entrenched himself in Virginia annals with his outside shooting. He already ranks in the top-10 in school history with over 100 three-point baskets made and in 2002-03 he led the ACC in shooting percentage from behind the arc. Billet has hit a number of game-winning shots, much like the one he hit at the buzzer to propel the Cavaliers to the win in Virginia’s second exhibition game in the 2003-04 season.
Yet Billet will perhaps be remembered most significantly for his tireless work in organizing bone marrow drives as part of a national project. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) sponsors a national registry designed not only to increase the awareness of bone marrow donation, but also to provide a national database that facilitates matching those in need with potential donors.
Nationally, only 30 percent of bone marrow patients find a match within their families. That means that seven out of every 10 matches need to come from a donor that the recipient has most likely never met. As of December 31, 2002, the NMDP has matched 15,556 unrelated donors to recipients, evidence that this registry is working to save lives.
For Virginia head coach Pete Gillen, “this is the first time in my 27 years of coaching that I have seen an athlete take on a project of this depth. He [Billet] advertises it, promotes it, and works to make it a success.”
The roots of this exhaustive project can be traced back to New Jersey and Billet’s girlfriend, Jennifer, currently a med student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Billet became interested in the public health field through his work with charities associated with Jen’s school work and health outreach projects. He helped organize a 5K run to raise money that would subsidize lab tests and screenings for a free health clinic in New Jersey. A mutual friend of theirs introduced Billet to the NMDP in conjunction with a bone marrow drive, and Billet was hooked.
“There is a definite need not only to work to promote awareness of this need,” said Billet, “but more importantly to get people signed up. We, the community, are also in need of minority donors.”
The statistics bear out Billet’s claim. Of the 4.89 million members logged in the registry, over half of them (2.5 million) are Caucasian.
To address this need, Billet sets up meetings regularly with student groups at the University such as the Asian Student Union and the Black Fraternal Council, to get them on board with the project.
“I’ll set up meetings with the group leaders and hopefully convince them to help promote the drive not only within their own organization but also to the community,” said Billet.
For most people, finding time to watch a basketball game on TV can be a stretch. Now imagine practicing so you can play in that game, hold down a full graduate course load, and organize a drive of this magnitude. That’s a day for Todd Billet, who graduated from Virginia with a degree in Economics in May of 2003, on pace with the rest of his high school graduating class.
“It was a great feeling,” recalled Billet. “OK, so the day was dreary, but it was a great feeling to get my degree.”
These days Billet has traded in his economics books for course packets in public health. “The great thing about grad school is that I can concentrate on interests about which I am passionate,” said Billet. “I am learning about the systems we have in the United States and I can apply some of what I pick up as I work more on the drive, to what I am learning in school.”
Eventually, Billet sees himself working on a combination graduate degree in which he integrates a business background with public health. “Combining public policy and financial resources will be a positive step for both parties,” said Billet, “and get us closer to helping more people.”
It is an ambitious project, but there’s no question Billet has both the desire and the energy to pull it off. Gillen described Billet as “one of the hardest workers I know, both on and off the court.”
Billet’s teammates are also quick to recognize the energy that he puts into every one of his endeavors. Third-year forward Devin Smith, one of Virginia’s tri-captains, has high praise for Billet. “Todd brings great energy and leadership to the team. He helps us in so many ways, because it’s easy for him to get us shots or for us to get him shots. Opponents have to choose between us, and as soon as they do, he can hit the three or he can hit us.”
Being a part of a team has certainly helped Billet through this project. “Nothing great is accomplished by just one person,” said Billet. “There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging needing help from other people. We are all working all the way together on this. There are so many people involved. I’m getting a lot of the credit, but there are many more people who are involved, like [Phil] Gates [Virginia’s Life Skills Coordinator]. It’s just like the team. We all have a common goal, and we work for it.”
And just like on the team, Billet acts as point guard, leading the charge and organizing the troops, giving it all his effort.
Fellow captain Majestic Mapp recognizes his contributions. “He has a great aggressive nature, and that is a huge boost for this team, ” said Mapp. “He gives 110 percent effort in everything.”
The recipients of the transplants and their families couldn’t be any happier that he is on their team, giving 110 percent.
NOTE: The 2004 Bone Marrow Drive will take place on the afternoon of March 2, 2004 at The Cage in Onesty Hall. Donors are encouraged to participate before the Wake Forest game that night.