Survivor’s Scot Pollard Gets Emotional After Heart Transplant

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Scot Pollard owes his survival to one special person.

A former contestant on the TV show Survivor (aired on CBS between 2015 and 2016) disclosed that he underwent a heart transplant in February 2024. More recently, he had the opportunity to personally thank his donor’s family during an emotionally charged ESPN documentary titled Heart of Pearl.

In 2021, Scot, who spent eleven seasons with both the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers in the NBA, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a genetically-rooted heart condition, following an illness.

In a hospital setting, as reported by ESPN on June 15th, he expressed a deep affection for his heart, saying, “This one feels special to me. It seems like it’s the best one I’ve got. My greatest concern is that any replacement might not measure up.

The athlete was rejected for several transplants due to the need for a compatible match to accommodate his towering 6-foot-11 frame. As Doctor Jonathan Menachem elucidated, “It’s not feasible to fit a small Ford Festiva engine into an F-150 truck and expect it to perform optimally.

Scot, now 50, struggled to come to terms with his prognosis. 

He remarked, “I had the sense that things would turn out well for me, but if they don’t, there’s still a lot left on my plate.

In the end, he was paired with donor Casey Angell, a 45-year-old individual who passed away after being put on a ventilator due to pneumonia complications.

As my devoted companion, I find myself in a challenging position. My dear wife, Pamela Angell, expressed to the media that I’m on the verge of losing my closest confidant. However, it seems that someone else might be fortunate enough to gain a loyal friend like me, if you catch my drift.

Indeed, Dr. Ashish Shah, who performed Scot’s heart surgery, commented, “In certain aspects, it turned out to be a perfect match for him.

At the start, Scot didn’t know Casey’s identity, but five months following a successful operation, he discovered who his donor was by composing a letter to his family, which was coordinated by the hospital where the procedure took place.

In October 2024, the ex-basketball player got a message from both Pamela, who is Casey’s wife, and Megan Tyra, his sister.

In their response, they expressed how deeply touched everyone was by your heartfelt words about your donor, who was cherished immensely. On February 16, 2024, it was an extremely challenging day for those of us who cared for Casey. As we prepared to say our final goodbyes and were presented with the option of organ donation, there was no hesitation or question in our minds that Casey would have wanted to make a difference.

Casey was a cherished spouse, father, uncle, and an exceptional younger sibling. Despite being the youngest, he stood taller than all of us,” their message continued. “We appreciate your compassion for his generous heart. And we are thankful to learn that he was loved and will keep giving love. It holds immense significance for us. He has touched the hearts of many in our family, encouraging them to donate and be heroes like him.

In a letter, Scot expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of himself, his wife, their four kids, and their entire family and friends, for the precious gift of life given by your dear one, as he resides in Indiana.

His letter went on, expressing a desire for a meeting if it suits you. He also wanted to assure you that your dear one’s heart will be cherished and nurtured, returning love in kind.

Apart from promoting his work on organ donation advocacy, Scot also paid tribute to the individual who passed away.

In his own words, he expressed that the person who holds a special place in your heart is a hero beyond measure, and their spirit will continue to shine through me and our collective acts of selflessness, mirroring theirs. If you find it challenging to respond, please know that I fully empathize. I simply wanted to share my lifelong admiration for this individual who has been an inspiration, indeed, a hero in my eyes.

In October 2024, the ex-basketball player got a message from Pamela, who is Casey’s wife, as well as his sister Megan (or Tyra, depending on which one you’re referring to).

As an ardent admirer, I felt compelled to express my heartfelt gratitude for your touching tribute to your donor, Casey – a soul who touched us all immeasurably. The 16th of February, 2024, was a day that left an indelible mark on those of us who cherished Casey deeply. When we faced the painful prospect of saying goodbye, and were presented with the option of organ donation, there wasn’t even a moment’s hesitation in our minds that Casey wouldn’t have wanted to make a difference – to continue his legacy of kindness and love.

As a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to share a heartfelt story about someone truly special – let’s call him Casey. Casey was more than just a husband, father, uncle, or baby brother; he embodied love in every role he played. Remarkably, despite being the youngest, he stood tall among us all, not just physically, but in spirit too.

A recent message touched my heart, expressing gratitude for caring for Casey’s generous and kind heart. It brings me immense joy to know that his love will continue to be shared with others. This sentiment means the world to his family, as it highlights the impact he had on those around him.

Inspired by Casey’s selflessness, some of his loved ones have chosen to follow in his footsteps by donating and becoming heroes like him. May this beautiful act inspire many more to do the same, carrying on Casey’s legacy of love and generosity.

In addition, they too arranged for a face-to-face meeting, where Scott will journey to Lindale, Texas, next year in March 2025.

In the future, what Scott is wishing for is simply the ability to continue living well, thanks to their generosity. (97 characters)

For more celebrities who’ve opened up about their health battles, read on.

In an announcement made in April 2025, the former cast member of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared that he was undergoing recovery following a near-burst appendix surgery.

Last week, I began experiencing discomfort in my abdomen, as Brian shared in an Instagram post. This led me to visit the emergency room where they discovered a nearly ruptured appendix. It wasn’t completely burst, but it was on the verge of doing so.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

Adam Devine revealed that the injuries he suffered at age 11, following a collision with a cement truck, continue to impact him up until now.

Devine stated during an episode of the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast in 2025 that it’s been a difficult ordeal for him. He explained that he has been experiencing spasms throughout his body and was given a grim prognosis by doctors, who told him he might not survive – specifically within the past year.

He observed that the pain fluctuates, implying also that his body experiences occasional irregularities and imperfections.

Previously part of Bachelor Nation, this individual disclosed that he had to seek medical attention by crawling on his hands and knees, owing to excruciating lower back pain which worsened during a camping trip with a companion in an RV.

In the March 2025 episode of his Trading Secrets podcast, he remarked, “At this moment, from my knees to toes, it’s quite peculiar because I still feel a tingling sensation, which is amazing.” To give you an idea, let me clarify that approximately three weeks ago, or maybe a month ago, I was squatting around 295 pounds. Now, I can barely do a simple squat on one foot; if I try a one-legged squat, I’d likely fall over. It’s as if I had a stroke or something.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

During a game in December 2024, an AHL player got a 25-stitch injury when another player’s skate accidentally sliced him open. After he had completely healed, his father, who happens to be the New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, shared with ESPN that they were incredibly fortunate. He added that he wouldn’t wish such an ordeal on any parent.

In March 2025, Gina Kirschenheiter from ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ revealed that her former spouse, Matt Kirschenheiter, experienced a heart attack. Fortunately, he made it through this challenging situation.

30 Rock’s main actor had a health emergency during a New York Knicks basketball match in March 2025, which necessitated his removal from Madison Square Garden in a stretcher.

On the next day, the comedian posted an update on social media, explaining that it had been a case of food poisoning and he was recovering well.

In February 2025, the actress from Even Stevens revealed that she had been accidentally shot in the face during a trip to fire clay pigeons as part of her husband Brendan Rooney’s birthday celebration.

She posted on Instagram that there was another group present, who accidentally discharged their firearm incorrectly and struck her in the face. Immediately, @thebrendanrooney jumped into action, evaluated her injuries, and swiftly transported her to the hospital. She sustained wounds in five locations; one was just a fraction of an inch away from directly hitting her right eye.

The former star of “Kim Possible” went on to say, “Regrettably, a piece became stuck near my eye, and it’s not safe to remove it through surgery right now. My doctors are keeping a close watch on me for the time being, as I can see clearly at present.

The actress expressed her profound gratitude for being alive, stating, “My love for my daughters, husband, family, and friends knows no bounds.” She recounted a moment where she felt she was glimpsing her entire life, and now implores everyone to seize every opportunity to embrace the people nearby. For life, in an instant, can undergo dramatic changes.

Although the internet isn’t always a gentle environment, Amy Schumer is grateful that it provided her with answers in this instance. She shared on an episode of Call Her Daddy in January 2025, “After going through a lot of interviews, I said, ‘Everyone, calm down,’ but then medical professionals began commenting, saying they believed something was wrong due to my unusual appearance.”

“I thought, ‘Is it possible that I’m being trolled by doctors?'” Amy recalled. After these doctors suggested she might have Cushing syndrome and that it could be caused by high cortisol levels or steroid injections, the creator of Life & Beth started questioning herself.

“It turned out I had been receiving steroid injections for my scars,” Amy explained. “So, the internet’s relentless criticism led me to discover Cushing syndrome, which I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.”

Now, Amy is relieved to know she’s healthy. As she wrote in a February 2024 News Not Noise newsletter, “Learning that the type of Cushing syndrome I have will naturally resolve itself was the best news I could have hoped for.

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber encountered a truly terrifying incident during breakfast with her husband, Justin Bieber. She began experiencing symptoms similar to a stroke, leaving her unable to respond or speak properly. As she recounted on YouTube a month later, her right side of the face drooped, and she struggled to form complete sentences.

Thankfully, Justin noticed something was wrong and asked if she was alright. Hailey couldn’t respond immediately because she wasn’t sure. When she tried to speak again, she found it difficult. After visiting the hospital for a check-up, doctors detected a small blood clot in her brain, which they categorized as a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Later, Hailey discovered that she had a hole in her heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The blood clot had traveled to her heart through this hole, then escaped and went to her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey underwent a successful PFO closure procedure and reported feeling fantastic afterward.

In the same year that Hailey went through her health ordeal, Justin also faced a similar challenge of his own. Specifically, in June 2022, the renowned singer revealed his diagnosis with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which resulted in temporary paralysis on one side of his face and led to the cancellation of the rest of his Justice World Tour.

Justin explained on an Instagram video that this virus targeted the nerve in his ear and facial nerves, causing his face to become paralyzed. As he demonstrated, his eye wouldn’t blink, he couldn’t smile from one side of his face, and his nostril didn’t move – indicating full paralysis on one side. He also shared that it became progressively difficult for him to eat, but eventually the paralysis subsided.

Hailey commented on a June 2022 episode of Good Morning America, saying, “He’s doing really well,” and added that he was feeling much better despite the sudden and alarming situation. She expressed her relief that Justin was okay in the end.

In the beginning, Jamie Foxx chose not to disclose much about his hospitalization in April 2023. However, later on, during his 2024 Netflix special titled “What Had Happened Was…”, he shared his experiences. He recalled an incident in Atlanta when he asked for an aspirin due to a severe headache, but before receiving it, he blacked out and lost consciousness for about 20 days.

Initially examined by a doctor who administered a cortisone shot and sent him home, Foxx’s concerned sister, Deidra Dixon, then took him to a hospital where they discovered the cause: a brain bleed that resulted in a stroke. After undergoing surgery on the 20th day, Foxx woke up on May 4 in a wheelchair, unable to walk. He subsequently went to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

“I want to express my gratitude for every prayer,” he said, “because I truly needed them all.

In 2019, actress Emilia Clarke revealed her personal battle through an essay titled “A Battle for My Life,” published in The New Yorker. During filming for Game of Thrones, she experienced severe headaches that eventually led to fainting spells and a hospital visit for a brain scan.

The diagnosis was a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a dangerous type of stroke caused by bleeding around the brain. She had undergone immediate surgery to seal the aneurysm, but the pain was excruciating. During her recovery, she struggled with aphasia, often muttering nonsensical words.

Fortunately, her condition improved, and she left the hospital a month after being admitted. However, in 2013, another brain scan revealed that the growth had doubled in size, requiring additional surgery. This time, they needed to access her brain through her skull.

Thankfully, Emilia is now reportedly fully recovered and doing well.

Snoop Dogg’s daughter, Cori Broadus, expresses her gratitude towards her family following a severe stroke in January 2024. When she informed them about the incident, they promptly rushed to her aid. As reported by TopMob News correspondent Will Marfuggi in December 2024, she texted them about her condition and sent a picture. Everyone quickly came to her rescue.

Cori’s hospital stay was prolonged due to additional health issues. She mentioned that she could have been discharged after the stroke, but her lupus wasn’t in good shape at the time. Her kidneys were failing, and she had several other complications to manage.

Today, Cori is recovering well. She stated, “I’m doing great. I just had some motor skills that needed rehabilitation. But otherwise, I was fine.

In her twenties, Shailene Woodley‘s health took a turn for the worse. She experienced hearing loss, extreme fatigue, stomach pain after eating, and a host of other related issues. Doctors gave her various conflicting diagnoses, leading her on a decade-long quest for answers. Coming from a holistic background, she sought help from both conventional medical professionals and independent healers. During this challenging time, Shailene developed fear of food due to stomach pain, which led to body dysmorphia, identity confusion, and feelings of insecurity about her own body. However, after addressing both her physical and mental health issues, Shailene is now healthy and happy.

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2025-06-20 00:47