Section B · Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, August 19, 1999
804 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas (785) 843-5000
Player's brother answers request for kidney donor
The Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO — A brother of Spurs forward Sean Elliott said yesterday he had no hesitation about donating a kidney for Elliott's transplant and urged others to become organ donors.
"It's something that I would have done for either one of my brothers. Fortunately for Sean and myself, I was a good match," said Noel Elliott, 32. His kidney was removed in surgery Monday then immediately used in his brother's transplant.
Sean Elliott, 31, a 10-year NBA veteran who helped lead San Antonio to its first NBA championship in June, continues to recuperate at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital.
His blood pressure is good, he is becoming more active and he has been taken off of intravenous fluids, said transplant surgeon Dr. Francis Wright. Elliott is expected to be hospitalized about a week. His brother could be released later this week.
"Basically, it continues to be good news all-around for both of them," Wright said.
Sean Elliott needed the transplant because of a disease called focal segmental glomerular sclerosis that prevents his kidneys from properly filtering waste from the blood. It is not known what causes the illness.
Elliott has not spoken publicly since the surgery. Through spokesman Armando Rios, Elliott issued a statement Wednesday calling Noel's kidney a gift of love and life and thanking well-wishers for their support.
"I know there will be difficult days ahead. Knowing that I have your continued prayers and support, I'm sure it will go well," he said.
Elliott has indicated he wants to return to the NBA after the transplant. Doctors have said it could be two or three months before they know the feasibility of his making a return to the Spurs.
His mother, Odiamea Elliott of Tuscon, Ariz, also thanked the public for prayers, phone calls and messages.
"This is just a step for Sean," she said. "It's his first step toward recovery. Noel will be well. Sean has a lifelong journey to make, and if you would continue your support and prayer, that would be helpful to us."
Ms. Elliott said she was glad both of Sean's brothers offered to provide a kidney. Noel was determined to be an appropriate match.
"This is actually every mother's dream and every mother's nightmare, because you want your children to love enough to be willing to do that," she said.
"But then by the same token, I had my two sons in the operating room at one time. I think fathers could even understand this. It was scary. It was scary," she said.
Noel Elliott, a sales associate for Wal-Mart in Arizona, joked that the kidney donation had made him an instant celebrity.
One of the worst parts of the ordeal was the blood testing done before the surgery to determine donor eligibility, he said.
"They draw a lot of blood. But you just do what you have to do," Noel Elliott said, adding with a laugh that he told Sean, "I was going to have to have tickets to the Spurs games — and a book deal."
Noel Elliott urged others to become organ donors.
"I do want to encourage anyone that's on the line, on the edge of being a donor or not, to seriously consider donating an organ or bone marrow," he said.
Noel Elliot said that he and Sean had seen each other several times since the transplant, slowly creeping back and forth from room to room.
"The exchanges are just, I would call them, normal brotherly love kind of exchanges. He's thanked me repeatedly. I think we just feel just a deep commitment to each other," he said.
Despite no-hitter, Jimenez in minors
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS - The only National League pitcher to throw a no-hitter this season is headed for the minor leagues.
The St. Louis Cardinals optioned right-hander Jose Jimenez to Triple-A Memphis Tuesday and recalled right-handed reliever Rick Heisman. Heisman pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the Cardinals' 6-5 win against Philadelphia.
Jimenez beat Randy Johnson and the Diamondbacks 1-0 with his nohitter on June 25 at Phoenix. A lit
tie more than a week later, Jimenez and the Cardinals again shut Johnson and the Diamond hacks at home.
But otherwise, Jimenez has struggled. After going 3-0 in a September call-up last season, Jimenez is 5-12 with a 5.81 ERA in 1999. In his start last Sunday, Jimenez
lasted just two innings against the Chicago Cubs, giving up five earned runs and five hits — including two Sammy Sosa home- runs.
mechanical flaws to work out.
"I'm a little surprised, but I, find my way back," he said.
Jimenez said he had some
manager Tony La Russa said Jimenez likely would be recalled Sept. 1, when active rosters expand from 25 to 40.
"His results have been mixed." La Russa said. "I think he's learning from his s and downs."
La Russia wasn't sure who would replace Jimenez in the rotation, but said he was leaning toward Juan Acevedo, 5-4, with a 6.05 ERA.
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