Women's Lacrosse | 5/5/2026 10:00:00 AM
ONEONTA, NY – Senior defender Regan Kelly (Warwick, N.Y.) of the Hartwick Women's Lacrosse team has been named to the prestigious Allstate NACDA Spring Good Works Team, as announced on May 5 by Allstate and NACDA.
The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team recognizes student-athletes across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as NAIA and junior/community colleges, for their outstanding commitment to community service. Honorees are selected across fall, winter, and spring seasons for their impact both on and off the field. Regan Kelly becomes the first-ever Hartwick student-athlete to obtain this special honor.
Kelly joins a select group of 20 student-athletes nationwide who exemplify excellence in athletics, academics, and community engagement. She played a pivotal role in organizing an NMDP "Get in the Game" swab drive on Hartwick's campus, helping add 64 individuals to the bone marrow and stem cell registry. The effort ultimately led to a life-saving match.
That impact became deeply personal when Joe Holder, Regan's boyfriend, was identified as a match and called upon to donate in February. Kelly traveled to Florida to support him throughout the process. Following the successful stem cell donation, Holder received a letter from the recipient's family, a 27-year-old woman, thanking him for giving her a second chance at life.
"It is hard to put into words how much I am in awe of Regan's leadership," said Head Coach Nora Fallon-Oben. "She went above and beyond to make the NMDP event happen on our campus, and it has come full circle for her and her family. Through her leadership, our team's efforts, and Joe's selflessness, we were able to help give someone a second chance at life. This honor is a reflection of Regan's commitment to something greater than herself and the integrity she brings to our program every day."
Kelly's dedication to cancer advocacy and service is deeply rooted in her own life experiences. When she was nine years old, her father was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a form of blood cancer linked to his work as a New York City firefighter at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks. He underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 2013, receiving a donation from his sister.
Inspired by that experience, Kelly has made it her mission to give back. Her leadership in organizing the campus registry drive created a powerful full-circle moment for both her family and the Hartwick community, demonstrating the life-changing impact of service.
Here is Regan Kelly's story in her own words:
"When I was 9 years old, my dad was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer caused by his work as a New York City fireman at Ground Zero on 9/11. He needed a bone marrow transplant, and NMDP, previously Be The Match, worked with local organizations and my family to find a donor. In 2013, he received a transplant from his sister, Noreen, which saved his life and changed our family forever. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with NMDP and the Hartwick community to give back to an organization that gave so much to my family."