Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

A Transplant Recipient’s Experience

2006; Wolters Kluwer; Volume: 82; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/01.tp.0000250479.62753.b6

1534-6080

Alonzo Mourning,

Organ and Tissue Transplantation Research

First, and foremost, I would like to thank the World Transplant Congress for having me here today. When Dr. Appel invited me to come, I could not figure out why you would want me to speak at the opening ceremonies of the World Transplant Congress. I definitely don't have the knowledge on this topic that each and every one of you has. After thinking about all of my accomplishments and all the positive things that have happened to me since my transplant surgery, I finally came to a conclusion: you all wanted me here so that you could open me up like a science project to see if I was human. Well, I am human. My surgeon, Dr. Mark Hardy, can definitely vouch for that. I had so much muscle in my abdomen that Dr. Hardy had a tough time trying to squeeze my transplanted kidney into the area where it was supposed to go. He had never seen anyone with that much muscle definition. Dr. Hardy, that came from years of training and working out, but I am glad that with your resilience and skill you were able to successfully insert my kidney. Dr. Hardy told me that he had done thousands of kidney transplants, and he was not worried about the transplant surgery. He said, "I have done thousands of these, and I can do it with my eyes closed." My response to him: "Well, make sure you at least keep one eye open when you are doing my surgery." On a more serious note, I am very blessed to be in the position that I am today with the help of so many people. Other than the obvious of having the best nephrologists, Dr. Gerald Appel and Dr. David Cohen, and the best surgeon, Dr. Mark Hardy, I was also very fortunate to have a perfect living-related donor, my second cousin Jason Cooper, to whom I continue to give praise. I understand that without all of them, I would not be where I am today. So, I am very thankful. My faith and spirit are extremely strong, and that is what truly got me through the day-to-day battle with chronic kidney disorder and kidney transplantation. I worked very hard to stay positive in both mind and spirit. I continue to preach that to people who are going through kidney disease or transplantation. There was no way I was going to feel sorry for myself. No matter what I go through, I know there are many unfortunate people in the world who are much worse off than me. I have strong beliefs that if you keep the mind strong and positive, then the body will eventually follow. This is not what someone told me or what I read in a book, it is just how I think it works. I understand there are so many people who are out there struggling and aren't as fortunate as I was to have the resources of great doctors and surgeons afforded to them. I understand there are so many people who are out there struggling and cannot afford the necessary medications. But what really hit home for me was when I had to pick up my first prescriptions of medicine. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has an insurance plan that covers players, coaches, and their families, so I had the benefit of not having to pay the entire amount. When I was in the drive-through at the pharmacy picking up my prescriptions, I asked the lady behind the counter how much the medicines I was receiving cost for a one-month supply. She answered, "It's a little over $1,000.00." This blew my mind, and I knew that somehow I had to figure out a way to help. I sat down with Dr. Appel and tried to gain perspective on the extreme cost of medications that individuals need, yet cannot afford. Dr. Appel educated me on the research program at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and how I could become a part of helping others. These understandings stimulated me to create my own foundation, Zo's Fund for Life. All this was happening around the same time that I had just been diagnosed in September of 2000. I was on an emotional high and thought that nothing could bring me down. I had just come back from Sydney, Australia where I had won a gold medal representing my country with some of the top basketball players in the world, and I had been awarded the Olympic Basketball Player of the Year Award. During that summer, I also flew back from Sydney, during the Olympics, for the birth of my daughter. So when Dr. Appel gave me the news that I had a rare genetic kidney disorder and informed me of the deteriorating condition of my body, it was tough for me to digest. The 2000–01 season had started, and I was not able to play. But I was still an emotional part of the team. I was working very hard every day at trying to get my body healthy. Even though I was not on the court in front of millions of fans, I was still voted to the All-Star Team. I felt like it was a testament to the fans who appreciated my efforts on the court. The All-Star selection gave me an opportunity to begin my efforts to raise money for my new kidney foundation. Even though I was not able to participate in the game itself, I used that stage throughout the weekend to solicit dollars. The dollars raised for Zo's Fund for Life were going to do three things: 1) help individuals who could not afford their own medications, 2) generate funds for the research program at Columbia Presbyterian, and 3) educate doctors. Everyone in this room has gathered from around the world to educate themselves on ways to conquer kidney disease and help make life better for those who are battling kidney disease. I, too, believe that education is freedom and realize the importance of creating a foundation that would help in the battle against kidney disease. During All-Star weekend, we raised $1.2 million dollars through the generosity of many colleagues in the NBA, including players and coaches. My contribution to the foundation was not just the vision to create it or the solicitation of funds. I am also fully invested in the objective of Zo's Fund for Life. For every dollar raised at All-Star weekend, I matched it with my own. I am proud to say that we raised $2.4 million dollars over the course of four days. Through the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, the money has been put to good use fulfilling the goals outlined in the foundation's mission statement. I feel really proud that I was able to play a part in making a contribution to the fight against kidney disease. I feel that it is equally important to understand and celebrate the fact that 58 years ago, here in Boston, the first transplant was performed. That is not that long ago, 58 years, and it is an amazing feeling to think about the progress that we have made over such a short amount of time. It really encourages me that we are heading in the right direction in fighting this disease. The progress that we have made is incredible, and I am a living testimony that transplantation saves lives. I feel good that I am able to play the game of basketball and do the things that I know and love after receiving a kidney transplant. But I am equally as excited that I have been able to use this stage to create awareness about the ongoing fight against kidney disease and to encourage organ donation and the impact it can have on an individual's life. It is the gift of life, and I am truly blessed to be here. I cannot continue to count my blessings enough when I think back about where I was in 2000 when Dr. Appel explained my condition. I was very lethargic and very run down. I realize now that there was a reason why I had to go through all of that. To be here speaking in front of all of you who are so accomplished, so driven and so educated in your field, is an incredible accomplishment. I understand that having gone through all the emotional and physical pain, I have been able to provide hope to millions of individuals suffering from not only kidney disease, but other obstacles as well. It is a privilege to provide hope for those individuals because hope can go a long way. If you can provide someone with the hope and inspiration for them to overcome and not succumb to something that is so powerful, I feel that that giving is the most powerful act on the face of this earth. I believe that none of you, including me, would be here without someone giving something to you and aiding with your development as a person as well as a physician, or a doctor, or a nurse, or a technician, or a scientist. Somebody had to give you something in order for you to be in the position that you are today. My cousin gave me life. He gave me a new life, and I am very thankful for that. May each and every one of you continue to work as hard as you can. I may not understand what you do in the labs, but I do understand that it is important to the journey of finding a cure for so many diseases from which people suffer. The medicines have improved, and they have advanced so much that we are able to live comfortable lives now. It is a testament to all of you, and I salute your efforts. I would like to thank the World Transplant Congress again for what you do and for what you stand. Thank you very much for having me here this evening. God bless you all!FIGURE 1.: Alonzo Mourning goes up for the dunk as he continues to play for the Miami Heat following his kidney transplant in 2000.FIGURE 2.: Alonzo at the Heat Family Festival in Miami, Florida.