Former Tide player ill with cancer
Fund has been started to raise money for treatment
Jessica Alexander
Senior Staff Reporter
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: News
Former Crimson Tide linebacker Victor Ellis has been diagnosed with medullary renal cell carcinoma, an aggressive kidney-related cancer, according to the UA admissions department.
Ellis is one of 50 people known to have ever been diagnosed with this form of cancer. A case study done by four doctors at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn reported the tumor is found almost exclusively in young black patients with the sickle cell anemia trait.
Ellis, who was a four-year letterman from Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., graduated from the Capstone in 2002. He was an Academic All-SEC recipient. In November 2006, he was hired by the UA admissions department as a regional recruiter for North and South Carolina.
"He's the type of person who never met a stranger. He is caring and kind," said Mary Spiegel, executive director of undergraduate admissions.
Spiegel interviewed Ellis for his admissions position. She said Ellis mentored a youth over the summer, after which the boy's father was so impressed with Ellis he sent an e-mail to the admissions office.
In a press release on Aug. 31, former Tide running back Ahmaad Galloway said the cancer has since spread from his kidneys, to his lungs, chest cavity, pelvis and a small portion of his spine.
"The doctors have confirmed that this form of cancer has not responded well to chemo treatment in the past, forcing the doctors to recommend that Victor receive an alternate form of treatment of which can only be obtained through the nation's number one cancer research clinic in Houston, Texas," Galloway said, referring to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Galloway said he has been Ellis's best friend since they were in seventh grade when they started playing football together. Galloway also said he has been with Ellis through the ordeal. Wednesday, he said Ellis had undergone two rounds of chemotherapy, but he was up and moving around.
"He sees what everyone is doing for him down here and it's keeping his spirits up," Galloway said.
Ellis is one of 50 people known to have ever been diagnosed with this form of cancer. A case study done by four doctors at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn reported the tumor is found almost exclusively in young black patients with the sickle cell anemia trait.
Ellis, who was a four-year letterman from Red Bank High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., graduated from the Capstone in 2002. He was an Academic All-SEC recipient. In November 2006, he was hired by the UA admissions department as a regional recruiter for North and South Carolina.
"He's the type of person who never met a stranger. He is caring and kind," said Mary Spiegel, executive director of undergraduate admissions.
Spiegel interviewed Ellis for his admissions position. She said Ellis mentored a youth over the summer, after which the boy's father was so impressed with Ellis he sent an e-mail to the admissions office.
In a press release on Aug. 31, former Tide running back Ahmaad Galloway said the cancer has since spread from his kidneys, to his lungs, chest cavity, pelvis and a small portion of his spine.
"The doctors have confirmed that this form of cancer has not responded well to chemo treatment in the past, forcing the doctors to recommend that Victor receive an alternate form of treatment of which can only be obtained through the nation's number one cancer research clinic in Houston, Texas," Galloway said, referring to the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Galloway said he has been Ellis's best friend since they were in seventh grade when they started playing football together. Galloway also said he has been with Ellis through the ordeal. Wednesday, he said Ellis had undergone two rounds of chemotherapy, but he was up and moving around.
"He sees what everyone is doing for him down here and it's keeping his spirits up," Galloway said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 6
Victor Ellis
posted 9/14/07 @ 10:08 AM CST
Great article. Thank you for the coverage!
Victor Ellis
Jake White
posted 9/14/07 @ 1:38 PM CST
Hang in there Victor!
Ginger West
posted 9/24/07 @ 6:46 AM CST
Vic,
You know this ole Chattanooga mom is praying for you as are so many people. May God bless you with peace and comfort. #29 and #9 make a great pair. (Continued…)
Elishia Hodges
posted 3/31/08 @ 9:21 AM CST
I am so sorry to hear about this! You know the friends you have in Millington are praying hard for you!! We love you!
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