Earl Young, an Olympic sprinter, businessman, and cancer survivor, has entered a final race to save lives.

Gold and Grace follows the story of Earl Young, who won Olympic gold in 1960 at nineteen, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and embarked on a globetrotting finance career in the oil, gas, and precious metals industries. 

His work abroad led him to serve as director of the Corporate Council of Africa, and he was active with the US Olympic and Paralympic Alumni Association, where he helped create a relief fund for Olympians in need.

At the age of 71, Earl was diagnosed with a deadly form of leukemia. Doctors gave him only three months to live. The odds of finding a stem cell donor were one in twenty-two million. Miraculously, a woman living in a small village in Germany was a match. She stepped up and agreed to save his life. After a difficult recovery, Earl dedicated himself to passing on the blessings of his donor’s unselfish gift. He created Earl Young’s Team, a non-profit that recruits stem cell donors to help others stricken with deadly blood cancers.

Earl Young encourages readers to develop their God-given gifts and find their highest purpose in serving others, just as he has done. “I believe the most meaningful life is one of purpose, especially when our purpose is greater than ourselves.”

Earl Young became the youngest man on the US national track team to earn a gold medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960 following his sophomore year at Abilene Christian
College. After placing sixth in the 400-meter dash, Young helped the 1600-meter relay team establish an Olympic and World Record with a time of 3:02.2.

After the Olympics, he returned to the classroom and completed his degree. For two more seasons, he ran track for the Wildcats. Young placed second in the 400-meter final at the NCAA championships in 1961. He anchored the Abilene Christian track team in key victories at the Texas Relays and the Compton Invitational. At the Pan-American Games in 1963, Young won gold with the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

"The adage 'Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian' has never fit a world-class competitor better than Earl Young. He helped put his alma mater on the map with his athletic accomplishments, and saves lives through his tireless work to defeat blood-borne cancer. He has carried his gold medal, faith, and selfless spirit around the globe, telling his one-of-a-kind story about the urgent need to care for each other in small yet mighty ways."

-Ron Hadfield, Editor Emeritus, Senior Writer and University Historian, Abilene Christian University

"My friend, Earl Young, has lived a life of distinction. But when a stranger gave him a generous donation after he was struck with cancer, he started running a new race. From that moment, Earl dedicated his life to making a positive impact on the lives of those in search of a miracle match. We need more heroes like Earl. Read Gold and Grace and be inspired." 

-Phil Schubert, EdD, President, Abilene Christian University 

"Gold and Grace is the beautifully told story of a great American hero. Idyllic childhood, nineteen year old Olympic gold medalist, the cover of Sports Illustrated, successful business man, adventurer, philanthropist. Then tragedy--blood cancer, three months to live, a one in 22,000,000 bone marrow match. He lives. He lives to save the lives of other blood cancer patients. He's Earl Young. He's my friend. It's a great story! Read it! It could change your life!" 

-Charles Caudill, President Emeritus, World Christian Broadcasting

ISBN: 9781684264025

Pages: 224

Dimensions (inches) 6 x 9

weight (pounds): .5