Heat legend Alonzo Mourning travels Rob Pimental’s transplant journey with him

For more than three decades, Rob Pimental has spent his professional life taking care of other people.

As the Miami Heat’s director of team operations, Pimental manages all aspects of the team’s travel from booking flights to arranging transportation and lodging. He organizes the gear and equipment for all players and prepares practice setups for the coaches. His efforts have long been recognized by his peers, including being named the NBA Equipment Manager of the Year in 2022.

Last June, when Pimental — a lifelong Type 1 diabetic — learned that his kidneys were failing and that he would need both a kidney and pancreas transplant, it was time for others to help take care of him.

And the Heat organization was uniquely equipped to provide that support.

Upon receiving his diagnosis, one of the first people Pimental sought out was Heat legend and Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning. Mourning is Miami’s vice president of player programs, which began after a 15-year NBA career that included seven All-Star selections, two Kia Defensive Player of the Year honors and played an integral role in the Heat’s first championship in 2006.

In October 2000, Mourning was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a career-threatening kidney disease that eventually required a transplant. He underwent the procedure successfully in December 2003 before returning to the court in 2004.

Few people can understand the daily physical and emotional toll that Pimental has faced since learning the news that his kidneys were failing and would require a transplant. But Mourning is one of them.

“I never thought I’d have something in common with the Hall of Famer,†said Pimental.

Rob Pimental talks with Heat center Bam Adebayo.

‘A life-changing event’

Mourning has been an invaluable resource for Pimental in the 11 months since his diagnosis by answering questions, giving advice, serving as a sounding board during difficult days and providing encouragement throughout.

“I was shocked. I was hurt, because Rob’s a good man,†said Mourning, reflecting on when he first heard the news. “And you hate to see bad things happen to good people.

“Rob is a good family man. He takes care of everybody, he’s good to everybody, and he’s got these two beautiful daughters and a wife [Gina]so it’s like, ‘Why is he having to go through this?’ I really just had a deep concern for his well-being in hopes that I could have a positive effect on the outcome.â€

Mourning encouraged Pimental to continue going about his day-to-day life as much as he could. While Pimental did not travel with the Heat this past season — he needed to be ready to get to the hospital if a transplant became available — he still performed his duties with the team, whether from the office or at home.

Pimental’s new daily routine also includes two dialysis sessions: one he administers at the office using a portable dialysis unit and IV stand, and another at home. While the dialysis often leaves him feeling fatigued, he continues to get his work done.

“You do what’s in your power,†said Mourning. “You do your dialysis, you eat right, you exercise, you take good care of yourself, and then you patiently wait for your moment in time to come and hope that the gift of life is right around the corner.â€

Pimental said Mourning’s advice and life experience with a similar scenario was helpful throughout the season.

“Zo told me, ‘This is a life-changing event, but we’re gonna get you through this. It’s not going to be easy, but here’s what we’re going to do,’†said Pimental. “And he’s been there the whole time. Even just walking into work, he’ll come by and he’ll be like, ‘Man, you look good today. You look good. You feel good? You look good.’ Just that alone kind of gets me going.â€

Mourning often preaches that “the body follows the mind,†so he constantly tries to help Pimental maintain a positive outlook.

“When you’re going through this, it’s easy to get consumed with the fact that, ‘Man, I’m gonna die,’†said Mourning. “Yeah, we’re all gonna die someday. But Rob, you’re not gonna go right now, man. You still got a lot of work to do on this Earth.â€

Perhaps the greatest evidence Mourning can offer to help Pimental stay positive throughout this process is his very presence. Mourning is now 22 years post-transplant — a living, breathing example of what awaits on the other side of this journey.

For now, Pimental waits and hopes

While Pimental has Mourning to look to for knowledge, understanding and inspiration, Mourning had former NBA All-Star and San Antonio Spurs icon Sean Elliott to lean on during his own kidney transplant journey. In 1999, Elliott became the first player to return to the court following a kidney transplant and was a key player in the Spurs’ run to their first title in 1998-99.

“I was fortunate enough to have Sean Elliott speak with me when I was going through my own transplant journey,†said Mourning. “Having somebody to talk to — someone to settle your mind, get you focused on your day-to-day responsibilities and understand that it’s a process and that your moment will come — having somebody to lean on during a turbulent time in your life is extremely important, so I’m grateful that I’m here so [Rob] can lean on me.â€

Mourning and Elliott were fortunate to have family members — a second cousin for Mourning, a brother for Elliott — who were willing and able to donate kidneys. Pimental, on the other hand, remains on the transplant list.

The biggest unknown in this entire process is when the phone will ring with the life-altering news that a matching organ has become available.

“It’s really hard, especially when you get spam calls and you’re answering every one now, because you just never know,†Pimental said. “That’s the hard part. I check my phone 1,000 times a day. It doesn’t leave my side.â€

Pimental said he has woken up in the middle of the night, scrambling to find his phone, afraid he had missed a call. 

“The mental side of it is really tough, but I have a really good situation with my home life and professional life,†said Pimental. “When those moments come, I have a 6- and a 7-year-old and a wife that I love being around — so I just go hang out with my kids, and it makes things a little easier. That’s the only motivation I need, really, to make this work.â€

Pimental won’t receive the call he’s been waiting for until a donor match is found, which is why both he and Mourning encourage people to become organ donors. Registration is available at a local Department of Motor Vehicles or by visiting DonateLife.Net.

“The numbers are staggering,†said Mourning. “Over 120,000 people are waiting on the transplant list. That’s not even including the ones that haven’t even made it on the list yet. Then, you’ve got over 30 million Americans who suffer from chronic kidney disease, and you’ve got another 30 million who are at risk.

“Organ donation saves lives. And you don’t realize the impact that it can have on the future of somebody else’s life and how it affects so many other people’s lives.â€