A Race Against Time
An 18‑year‑old freshman on the Fresno City College men’s basketball team collapsed during a routine practice, sending shockwaves through the campus.
Athletic trainer Francisco Gamboa was the first to notice the severity of the situation, calling for emergency help within seconds.
Jackson Scarborough was rushed to Community Regional Medical Center, where doctors initially suspected an aneurysm before discovering a life‑threatening aortic dissection.
The tear in his aorta is a condition that claims the lives of most victims before they can reach a hospital, making his survival a rare miracle.
He underwent a nine‑hour surgery that ultimately succeeded, a outcome few could have imagined given the odds.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to cover his medical expenses has already neared its $20,000 goal, reflecting the community’s swift response.
Rob Haynes, the college’s athletic director, praised the quick actions of the staff, while Joanna Scarborough, Jackson’s mother, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.
Fresno City College’s athletic program and its partners continue to monitor his recovery, hopeful for his return to the court.