Former Hapoel Jerusalem Star Tunji Awobajo Suffers Severe Stroke
Former Hapoel Jerusalem star Tunji Awobajo suffered a severe stroke in July, facing a difficult prognosis after years of kidney battles. A fundraising campaign was launched to support his two sons.
Tunji Awobajo, a former star for Hapoel Jerusalem and part of the squad that won the ULEB Cup, suffered a severe stroke this past July. According to a fundraising campaign launched in September to support him and his two sons, Awobajo spent about a month on life support and is currently being cared for by his sister.
Following a prolonged battle with kidney failure and dialysis treatments, Awobajo underwent a kidney transplant this past January, organized by campaign coordinator John Brennan. He had begun to enjoy a new chapter of his life without dialysis alongside his sons, Ayo and Timi, before the stroke completely altered his condition in July.
The fundraising page notes that while Awobajo no longer requires life support, his medical prognosis is grim. Organizers state that his chances of recovery are poor and he will likely be unable to walk or communicate in any way. The campaign funds are intended to cover legal expenses related to establishing guardianship and power of attorney for his two sons to secure their future.
Months prior to the stroke, in a February interview with the New Hampshire Union Leader, Awobajo reflected on the hope the kidney transplant provided after spending five years on a waiting list. He recounted receiving the pivotal call at six in the morning about a deceased donor kidney. He explained that years of using painkillers during his athletic career damaged his kidney function, forcing him to endure grueling four-hour dialysis sessions three times a week for nearly seven years.
Awobajo, 53, is fondly remembered by Hapoel Jerusalem fans as a hero of the 2003/04 ULEB Cup championship following their victory over Real Madrid in the final. The Nigerian center also played in Israel for Ironi Ramat Gan, Maccabi Givat Shmuel, and Hapoel Gilboa Afula, while representing the Nigerian national team at two World Championships.
