The azpreps365.com/1580 AM The Fanatic radio crew caught up with two heroes, Austin Jackson and Jessica McDonald, Saturday morning.

Jackson, a starting lineman for USC and North Canyon grad, donated life saving bone marrow to his sister, Autumn, last week. Autumn is courageously fighting a rare genetic disease, Diamond-Blackfan Anemia.

The disease keeps her from making enough red blood cells, which carry oxygen.

“He (Jackson) is my only match and my only hope,” said Autumn in a recent online post.

To cover ongoing medical costs, the Jackson family started a fund at cotaforteamautumn.com.

(Autumn and Austin Jackson. Photo courtesy of the Jacksons.)

McDonald didn’t give up on her dream of playing for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team and in the World Cup.

Last week she accomplished another goal when her U.S. squad beat the Netherlands 2-0 in France to win the 2019 World Cup. To help supplement her income as a professional player while raising a son, McDonald used to work 11-hour shifts at an Amazon factory.

She’s battled through injuries and other obstacles but persevered. McDonald played soccer at Cactus and Phoenix College.

To listen to Jackson’s interview:

http://azpreps365.fancastradio.com/usc-ol-austin-jackson

For McDonald:

http://azpreps365.fancastradio.com/uswnt-member-jessica-mcdonald