By Kris Robinson

It’s been only a few months since Alonzo Mourning received a kidney transplant, but the 6’10” athlete is already back at the top of his game. Feeling fantastic and looking forward to the future, Mourning says the kidney is doing fine.

Mourning was diagnosed in 2000 with focal glomerulosclerosis, a rare degenerative kidney disease that can eventually lead to kidney failure. The disease is becoming more common and is especially prevalent among African-American males. Those with the disease have a 50 percent chance of developing kidney failure within 10 years of onset.

For nearly four years, Mourning was able to curtail his chronic kidney disease (CKD) by tight control of medicines, diet and exercise, while still playing basketball for both the Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets. In the fall of 2003, his creatinine was rising quickly and a decision was needed on treatment options. “I was on the verge of needing dialysis,” Mourning recounts. “I visited a lot of dialysis units and talked to patients.”

A kidney transplant was Mourning’s best option due to his overall healthy physical condition and potential donors. A second cousin, Jason Cooper, turned out to be the best match. Cooper, a U.S. Marine in great shape, also had another important quality; he was tall. Because of Mourning’s great height he needed a kidney that was bigger than average. Cooper’s kidney physically fit better. “Jason is doing great,” Mourning reports of his cousin.

Mourning had his surgery videotaped and has since watched the procedure. “It put an emphasis on why I was in so much pain after the surgery,” Mourning jokes. “It’s an amazing procedure and proves how far medicine has come. It was fascinating.” He adds how watching the video gave him an appreciation of what doctors had achieved and how important being in good physical condition means when one has surgery.

Life for Mourning is different now that he has the transplant. He explains that for the few years prior to transplantation he got accustomed to feeling a certain way. His body had adjusted to having CKD and he did not know that was not a normal feeling. After receiving his cousin’s kidney, there was a huge difference. “It was like a new carburetor, you know…engine in me. Instantly my body started changing.”

But even with a transplant, a patient must take a handful of medications, visit doctors and go to the clinic. Mourning who had just returned from his scheduled clinic visit, explained that he still is treated for anemia and his regiment includes the immunosuppressive medications Rappamune and Prograf. Interestingly, Mourning takes no prednisone, a steroid that until recently was always used with the immunosuppressive medication cocktail. He was weaned from the drug immediately after the transplant.

The medications do not come without side-effects. “Initially there were a lot of side-effects, but my body’s adjusted,” Mourning explains. Early side-effects included headaches and stomach disorders. As with most transplant recipients he is currently dealing with some issues surrounding a lowered immune system, such as mouth ulcers that are difficult to heal. Mourning, like his fellow transplant recipients, will always be susceptible to infection because of the medication taken to prevent rejection of the kidney.

The drugs are not the most challenging part of the transplant for Mourning. It is the possibility of future rejection. He is well aware that his disease has a 30 percent chance of returning. He finds the unknown the scariest. Because of this he listens to his physician’s advice, eats right and takes care of himself. It is also why he launched “Zo’s Fund for Life,” a campaign seeking to raise a minimum of $4 million for research, education and testing to fight focal glomerulosclerosis. Mourning and his wife, Tracy, will match the $2 million dollars the fund hopes to raise. “It gives me personal hope in knowing the funds raised have gone to research,” Mourning emphatically states. He hopes the research will learn why the disease reappears and establishes a cure for the future. “But most importantly, I want to leave something here after I’m gone for someone else.”

Mourning is eager to share his game plan for success with fellow CKD patients. In listening to him, one knows this plan is right on target. “The process I went through,” Mourning begins referring to his disease, “I knew it was going to be challenging. But I stayed positive.” He is adamant in his advice about a person’s attitude impacting one’s health. “Many people don’t realize your mind will kill you before your body does. I wasn’t going to give up.” He believes that no matter what your health issue – diabetes, cancer, etc. – if one keeps a positive attitude one can overcome any challenge. “Keep the faith strong,” he emphasizes.

Is returning to basketball in Mourning’s future? “I want to stay active,” Mourning shares. “Not necessarily playing basketball, but a connection with basketball.” He is also busy with charity work to enhance the lives of young people. Being a husband and father to two young children, along with his real estate development activities, keep Mourning on the move.

His family is vital to his health. “They realize how precious life is even more. They look at my physical stature and how it could happen to me,” says Mourning in explaining the impact to his family. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. They take better care of themselves because of it.” His family has been very supportive and also share in his positive attitude about the future.

“Good things are going to happen,” Mourning says about the future. Everyone suffering from a chronic disease must believe that.

Yes Alonzo, good things are going to happen!

Kris Robinson is the AAKP Executive Director & CEO

This article originally appeared in the June/July 2004 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine, Vol. 3, No. 2.

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