Italian basketball star Achille Polonara, celebrated for his formidable presence on the court, is now navigating the most formidable challenge of his life: a diagnosis of myeloid leukemia. Following his initial chemotherapy cycle in Valencia, Polonara offers a candid and deeply personal account of his battle, highlighting the profound strength drawn from family, the steadfast support from the global basketball community, and the surprising connections that emerge in adversity.
A Heartwarming Homecoming and the Unshakeable Bond of Family
The moment Polonara returned home to his daughters after a grueling month and a half of treatment was a scene straight from a family drama, imbued with raw emotion. “I saw them rush at me, what an emotion after a month and a half not seeing them,” Polonara recounted, his voice undoubtedly tinged with relief and joy. The simple, yet profoundly significant, act of waking up with them nestled in his bed the following morning—even if it meant his wife, Erika, was temporarily “evicted” from their matrimonial bed—underscored the irreplaceable sense of normalcy and joy they reignited in his life. His young daughters, Achille Jr. (three) and Vitoria (who will soon turn five), possess an innocence that simultaneously offers him solace and presents him with unique challenges. Vitoria, with her keen observational skills, promptly noticed his hair loss, perceptively linking it to a previous serious illness. This serves as a poignant reminder of children`s acute awareness, often sharper than adults might credit them for. “Girls are smarter,” he noted, perhaps with a subtle hint of irony, acknowledging their uncanny ability to perceive truths beneath the surface of adult reassurances.
Facing the Diagnosis: From Despair to Determined Resolve
Receiving the diagnosis itself was a moment of profound shock, plunging Polonara into “absolute darkness to terror of any kind, even dying.” The hesitation of the hematologist in Bologna as he delivered the news speaks to the human element inherent in such grave pronouncements, a moment of compassionate pause before uttering the dreaded word: leukemia. While the word itself instills immediate fear, Polonara observed, “you realize how truly hard it is when you start the treatment.” His decision to pursue his initial treatment in Valencia was a strategic one, dictated by the immediate availability of specific medications designed to mitigate the risk of future recurrence. This choice highlights the pragmatic and technically precise aspects of modern medical combat, a stark contrast to the raw, visceral emotional toll it exacts.
“The simple, yet profoundly significant, act of waking up with them nestled in his bed the following morning—even if it meant his wife, Erika, was temporarily `evicted` from their matrimonial bed—underscored the irreplaceable sense of normalcy and joy they reignited in his life.”
A Legacy of Empathy: The Enduring Connection with the Mihajlovic Family
In a deeply moving development, Polonara discovered solace and an unexpected kinship with the family of the late football icon, Sinisa Mihajlovic, who fought his own courageous battle against a distinct form of leukemia before his passing in December 2022. “His wife Arianna along with the children immediately contacted me; we didn`t even know each other,” Polonara revealed. This unsolicited outreach, which culminated in a shared video call, eloquently illustrates the silent, yet powerful, fraternity that binds those who have experienced such profound health crises. It is a compelling testament to how some battles transcend the boundaries of sport, fostering deep bonds of empathy and understanding where none might have otherwise existed.
The Indomitable Pillars of Support: Erika and the Brotherhood of Basketball
Behind every individual displaying immense fortitude, there frequently stands an equally unwavering support system. Polonara unreservedly credits his wife, Erika, as his “life,” celebrating their six years of marriage as a foundational source of strength. “She pushes me, especially in difficult moments. She is a woman with great personality,” he affirmed. This steadfast personal support is robustly complemented by the overwhelming solidarity extended by the broader basketball community. From his Virtus Bologna teammates who brought the Scudetto cup directly to his hospital room, symbolizing their collective spirit, to the daily supportive texts from national team coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, whom Polonara reverently considers “almost an elder brother”—the sheer outpouring of “crazy affection” has proven an indispensable aid in navigating the arduous treatments. Even the affectionate nickname “Gaspare and Orazio,” shared with close teammate Giampaolo Spissu, highlights the profound camaraderie and lightheartedness that permeates the fabric of the sport.
Moments of Vulnerability: Finding Solace in Melody
Despite the remarkable resilience he continually exhibits, Polonara candidly admits to experiencing “dark moments, seeing everything black,” which tend to intensify as evening descends. Yet, even within these periods of vulnerability, a unique form of strength emerges. He finds it challenging to suppress tears when listening to music, particularly songs that evoke poignant thoughts of his family. Francesco Renga`s “Il mio giorno più bello nel mondo” (My Most Beautiful Day in the World) stands out as one such melody, serving as a powerful, emotional anchor that underscores the depth of love fueling his fight. It is a profound testament to the fact that even the most formidable athletes are, fundamentally, human beings, finding profound solace and emotional release in the universal, resonant language of music and shared sentiment.
Achille Polonara`s journey of healing and recovery is undeniably ongoing, with a second round of chemotherapy slated in Valencia, to be followed by a crucial bone marrow transplant in Bologna. However, his remarkable candor, his profound appreciation for life`s simplest joys, and his refusal to be solely defined by his illness paint a vivid portrait of a true champion—one whose most significant victories are being courageously fought, not on the basketball court, but within the most challenging game of all: life itself.
Murray Blackwood