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