October 18, 2000 - The National Kidney Foundation has provided a clarification stating that Alonzo Mourning's kidney disease, focal glomerulosclerosis, is not related to use of analgesics. Athletes (and others) who use large amounts of pain killers are susceptible to another type of kidney condition called interstitial nephritis.

Focal glomerulosclerosis is successfully treated with medication in about 50% of cases.

October 16, 2000 - Alonzo Mourning, center for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association, announced today that he will miss the upcoming NBA season while he is being treated for a type of kidney disease (focal glomerulosclerosis). He does not require dialysis or a transplant at this time.

Sean Elliott, forward for the the San Antonio Spurs, received a kidney transplant in August 1999 and returned to playing in the NBA in March 2000. Elliott also suffered from the same form of kidney disease (specifically - focal segmental glomerular sclerosis).

September 1, 2000 - Sean Elliott, forward for the San Antonio Spurs who underwent a kidney transplant last year, announced he will return to play one more season.

March 15, 2000 - Sean Elliott played 12 minutes and scored a basket in his return to the San Antonio Spurs last night, seven months after receiving a kidney transplant from his brother Noel. The Spurs won 94-79.

Here is the story from the NBA web site.

The National Kidney Foundation announced that Sean Elliott will serve as spokesperson for its 2000 U.S. Transplant Games in Orlando, Fla., June 21-24. The Olympic-style competition is for athletes who have had organ transplants.

March 14, 2000 - History will be made tonight when Sean Elliott returns to the lineup of the San Antonio Spurs basketball team, seven months after receiving a kidney transplant.

March 9, 2000 - It appears that kidney transplant recipient Sean Elliott will make an unprecedented return to the San Antonio Spurs of National Basketall Association on March 14 - a home game before his family, friends and doctors. Until this time, no one has played professional-level sports after receiving a major organ transplant.

(August 25, 1999) Sean Elliott was released from the hospital on Wednesday, August 25.

(August 21) Sean Elliott returned to surgery to repair a leak between the ureter of his new kidney and his bladder.

(August 20) - Sean Elliott met with the press in the lobby of the hospital three days after his kidney transplant. His brother, Noel, went home four days after donating a kidney.

(August 19) - Everything continues to progress well for Sean Elliott and his brother. Sean Elliott's family met with the media on Wednesday.

(August 17) Sean Elliott's new kidney continues to perform well and he has already been transferred out of ICU after yesterday's transplant.

(August 16) Sean Elliott, who only two months ago was playing in the NBA finals, underwent a kidney transplant today.

(July 28) Sean Elliott of the basketball world champion San Antonio Spurs team has kidney disease (focal segmental glomerular sclerosis) and is in need of a transplant.