Stop by Polonara's place, she's battling myeloid leukemia.
Takes one hell of a toll: Ain't life a bitch sometimes? It's my lucky day to tell ya about Achille Polonara, a baller who's gotta play a game he never asked for. At 33 years young, he's squaring off against a foe he'd rather avoid – leukemia, the sneaky son-of-a-bitch. As the final game of the basketball championship looms, his "own" Virtus Bologna's championship against Brescia hangs in the balance, and damn if Polonara, an Italian national team player, ain't got a spot on the bench.
Now, the lowdown on why: Virtus' statement spills the beans that Polonara's been battling specialists for weeks, and lo and behold, they slapped him with a myeloid leukemia diagnosis[1][2][4]. He's laid up at Sant'Orsola Malpighi Hospital in Bologna now, already kickin' off treatment for the leukemia. This bleak news jogs some memory bones for folks, transporting them back to Sinisa Mihajlovic – the Bologna coach who spent almost three years bouncin' between the sidelines and the hospital beds[3].
This ain't Polonara's very first dance with danger, though. Back in October 2023, after attendin' the World Cup in the Philippines, he had a doping test and a ball-bustin' diagnosis – testicular tumor, yikes[1]. After surgery and a punishing round of chemo, "Achi" got back to his daily grind as a dad, hubby, and hoops star. But, just as the '23-'24 season was windin' down, another whammy: another game, another field.
The championship and Euro Championships might just be thought of, prayin'Polonara gets something spectacular to celebrate from his Virtus peeps and National Team mates.
Extra time: behind the scenesAchille Polonara, an Italian professional basketball player, has recently been diagnosed with myeloid leukemia[1][2][4]. The diagnosis follows an earlier health confrontation; back in October 2023, Polonara underwent surgery for a testicular tumor and subsequent chemotherapy, returning to play in mid-December '23[1][2].
Polonara's basketball journey has been marked by some serious health hurdles. Despite his quick comeback, he faced another setback due to mononucleosis syndrome towards the end of the 2024-25 season[4][5]. His recent diagnosis and treatment means he'll likely be out of action for a considerable period. In the 2024-25 season, Polonara played in 33 EuroLeague games for Virtus Bologna, averaging 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game[2]. His squad is currently battling it out in the Italian League finals, leadin' 2-0 against Brescia[2].
- Science and healthcare are crucial in Achille Polonara's battle against myeloid leukemia and a previous testicular tumor.
- Mental health and sports analysis reveal the challenges Polonara faces, as he balances his health issues with his role as a professional basketball player and a family man.
- Fitness and exercise play a significant part in Polonara's recovery process, as he seeks to regain his strength and return to the basketball court.
- The NBA, sports, and health-and-wellness communities express their support for Polonara during this difficult time, sharing messages of strength and encouragement.
