Update on Sun Ming Ming

Maybe www.savesunmingming.com is kosher. That's too bad because I was hoping it was hoax--you know, that way he wouldn't have a goddamn tumor. Below is a press release issued Sept. 11th.

Fundraiser Launched To Get Life-Saving Surgery For Basketball Player Sun Ming Ming

7-foot-8 basketball player Sun Ming Ming has been diagnosed with a benign tumor on his pituitary gland and needs immediate surgery. Because Sun is not an NBA player and has no insurance, donations are needed so Ming can pay for the surgery.

(PRWEB) September 11, 2005 -- Sun Ming Ming is only 22-years-old and already is one of the tallest people in the world at 7 feet 8 inches tall. He came to the United States earlier this year to work out with professional basketball trainers in the hopes of one day making it into the NBA. He has even participated in private work-outs with several NBA teams, some of which later suggested medical testing due to their concerns over his lack of stamina and endurance.

Sun Ming Ming took their advice, and on June 26th, it was determined that he had a tumor pressed against his pituitary gland. The tumor was preventing proper production of testosterone, thus explaining the low stamina and endurance. It also was instigating prolongued over-production of growth hormone (GH), a condition known as "acromegaly" that causes various parts of the body to sustain abnormal and unstoppable growth. If left untreated, acromegaly often results in serious illness and premature death. Acromegaly can be treated via three methods: surgical removal of the tumor, drug therapy, and radiation therapy of the pituitary. The goals of treatment are to reduce GH production to normal levels, to relieve the pressure that the growing pituitary tumor exerts on the surrounding brain areas, to preserve normal pituitary function, and to reverse or ameliorate the symptoms of acromegaly. Doctors have determined that the best course of action in Sun Ming Ming's case is for immediate surgical removal of the tumor. Surgery has been tenatively scheduled scheduled for September 26th, to be performed by Dr. Hrayr Shahinian, director of the Skull Base Institute, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The surgery calls for Dr. Shahinian to use fiber-optics to reach the tumor through an incision in the nose and, with special tools, remove the tumor tissue. This procedure is called transsphenoidal surgery, and has already been postponed once due to lack of funds. Although there is a new date scheduled for the surgery, September 26th, it is only tentatively scheduled, and will be postponed again if Sun Ming Ming does not have enough funding to pay for it. The surgery, ten year follow-up treatments and therapy are estimated to cost over $100,000.

Charles Bonsignore and Passing Lane Sports, are reaching out to the community for assistance via grassroots and Internet campaigns. Mr. Bonsignore has been speaking to various groups around the country, and a website has been set up to raise awareness.

Those wishing to donate will be donating directly to Sun Ming Ming, and not through any third parties. Contributions are to be made out to Sun Ming Ming via check, direct deposit, or wire transfer, and sent to the El Monte branch of East West Bank in California at 9550 Flair Drive, El Monte, CA 91731. The bank is well aware of this fundraising campaign and will answer any inquiries. As per the bank's request, Sun's bank account number, #22116339, should be included on the backs of any checks.

More information can be found at www.savesunmingming.com and through his agent:

Charles A. Bonsignore
Passing Lane Sports
9452 Telephone Road, Suite 131
Ventura, CA 93004
805-647-0571 Office
805-435-1710 Fax

Fists of Fury: The World's Tallest Ballers... Still Asian

No update on Sun Ming Ming...

But the tallest baller in the world still plays in Asia. In the hills...

Myong Hun Ri (236 cm, 7' 7 1/2") from North Korea.

I would ask the Darwinists why thousands of years of height-minimizing Asian evolution seems to be backsliding but with Asians comprising roughly 60% of the world's population, you figure to find some tall ones... but we all know about the Red Communist genetic engineering experiments.

Some of them just managed to defect.

NBA Hurricane Relief Game in Houston

Kenny made the call... and the All-Stars responded. One Hurricane Relief Game in my hometown, Houston, Texas. Garnett, Kobe, Amare, J O'Neal, Melo, Lebron, his new teammate and Houston-native Damon Jones, and even (still missed) ex-Rockets Stevie Franchise and Cat Mobley, among others, all made it down to the Toyota Center for one benefit game for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. It was an All-Star Game in September.

And Stephon made it, too. How could you not invite him?

I couldn't make it. But word from the fam in Houston was that it was damn near inspiring. And I'll admit that took me by surprise. As someone who is always struggling to keep the game in perspective--basketball being just a game after all and somewhat trivial in the bigger picture--I sometimes forget just how uplifting it can be for some, especially for the many displaced residents of the Gulf Coast who found refuge in Houston, and until last night, had little to look forward to. Despite my initial skepticism, this NBA Players Hurricane Relief Game delivered.

Garnett finds a way to extend his reach.

Click on this pic for the zoom. This kid ain't even scared... acts like he's been up there before... with plans to be back.

Photos courtesy of NBA.com.

Save Sun Ming Ming

"Sun Ming Ming has a brain tumor. Will you help him get the surgery?"

-- www.savesunmingming.com

Sun Ming Ming is the 7' 8 3/4" center from China that appeared in an earlier post (Rise in Yeti Sightings.. 8/11/05). In the comments is a reference to the website above.

Fact or fiction? It ain't no Spanish Prisoner, but...