Scot Pollard, former NBA player and “Survivor” contestant, is currently in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. Standing at an impressive 6-foot-11, Pollard’s stature helped him excel in the NBA for over a decade, even winning a championship ring with the 2008 Boston Celtics.
However, his size has now become a challenge as he urgently requires a donor with a heart large and strong enough to sustain his extra-large body. Admitted to intensive care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Pollard is patiently waiting for a suitable donor to emerge.
Pollard explained, “I’m staying here until I get a heart. My heart got weaker. (Doctors) agree this is my best shot at getting a heart quicker.” With his height of nearly 7 feet and a playing weight of 260 pounds, finding a heart that matches his requirements is no easy task. A genetic condition, likely triggered by a virus he contracted in 2021, has caused his heart to beat an additional 10,000 times per day. This same condition has affected half of his siblings and claimed the life of his father when Pollard was just 16 years old.
Reflecting on his situation, Pollard said, “That was an immediate wake-up call… I’m not going to see 80.” Despite the challenges, Pollard had a successful career in the NBA, playing as a valuable big man off the bench for various teams over 11 years. He even reached the NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 and ultimately won the championship with the Celtics in 2008, despite suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
After retiring from professional basketball, Pollard explored broadcasting and acting, eventually becoming a contestant on the reality TV show “Survivor.” However, his health condition took a turn for the worse about three years ago, significantly impacting his quality of life. Medication and multiple ablation procedures were attempted to tackle the irregular heartbeats, but they only offered partial relief. The ultimate solution, as determined by medical professionals, is a heart transplant.
Unfortunately, the organ transplant process can be complex and lengthy. Pollard acknowledges that it’s not within his control or even the doctors’ hands; it’s up to the donor networks. To increase his chances, he has registered at multiple transplant centers, understanding the importance of proximity and post-operative visits. Recently, he went through testing at the University of Chicago and is currently at Vanderbilt, a medical center that performed the most heart transplants in the country last year.
Now, Pollard is in the ICU, patiently waiting for a new heart that is not only healthy but also large enough to accommodate his unique circumstances. Despite the uncertainty, he remains hopeful, texting, “They can’t predict, but they are confident I’ll get a heart in weeks, not months.”
For more information about Scot Pollard’s journey, visit F5mag.com.