NBA champion and season 32 “Survivor” contestant Scot Pollard has undergone a successful heart transplant, his wife announced.
“Scot has a new heart!” Dawn Pollard wrote late Friday on X. “Surgery went well and I’ve been told the heart is big, powerful and is a perfect fit! Now on to the crucial part of recovery. Thank you to everyone for the continued prayers and support, but most of all, deepest thanks to the donor, our hero.”
Pollard, who celebrated his 49th birthday on Monday, required the surgery because of a genetic condition that was seemingly triggered by a virus he caught in 2021. The same condition killed his father, who died at the age of 54.
Look who’s awake and is feeling great! Breathing tube came out early this morning and he started cracking jokes and singing “I left my heart in San Fran-Nashville”. 🤣 We are all amazed at Scot’s recovery so far! ❤️🩹🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/HhApjcw2Py
— Dawn Pollard (@DawnMPollard) February 17, 2024
An 11-season veteran of the NBA, Pollard started off as a center at the University of Kansas, helping bring their team to NCAA Sweet 16 for four straight seasons. He went on to become a first-round draft pick in 1997 and played on five different teams over the course of his career. He spent most of his time with the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers.
But while Pollard’s height helped him on the court, his hulking frame posed a challenge in his search for a heart donor — he needed to find someone with a heart big enough to fit his 6-foot-11, 260-pound body. He registered at three different hospitals in a bid to find a match.
Earlier in the day Friday, Dawn revealed they’d finally succeeded in their search. She shared the happy news on X alongside a series of photos showing her husband getting his head shaved.
Scot wanted me to let everyone know that the pre-heart transplant hair is gone, it’s go time! Please keep the prayers coming for Scot, the surgeons, for the donor and his family who lost their loved one. This donor gave the most amazing gift of life and we are forever grateful❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/OQRGDma5e6
— Dawn Pollard (@DawnMPollard) February 16, 2024
Pollard previously checked into the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s ICU in Nashville on Feb. 7. In a text to The Associated Press at the time, Pollard said that he was “staying here until I get a heart.”
With News Wire Services
Jessica Schladebeck
Source link
