If you ask college basketball fans in Tennessee, they’ve probably heard of Zakai Zeigler. The 5’9 point guard, who originally hails from Long Island, now dominates the court as a Tennessee Volunteer. Off the court, he is making just as much of an impact. According to WBIR, Zeigler is working to raise hydrocephalus awareness and funds for The Hydrocephalus Association.

For Zeigler, his connection to hydrocephalus is personal. Two of his nephews were born with this condition. While both of them underwent surgery to address the condition, Zeigler knows that it can put an undue emotional and financial burden on families. On his GoFundMe page, he explains:

While there is currently no known way to prevent or cure hydrocephalus, there are three life-saving treatment options that require brain surgery, which can be very costly. I ask you to join me in donating money so more families can benefit from these life-saving surgeries just like my nephews have.

In the end, he believes that it is incredibly important to uplift and support not only family, but those in need. If you would like to donate to the cause, you may do so here.

Hydrocephalus: An Overview

Hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” is a rare condition in which fluid builds up within the brain’s ventricles. Normally, this fluid helps keep the brain buoyant, prevents injury, maintains brain pressure, and removes waste products. But in hydrocephalus, the amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced, and the amount absorbed by the bloodstream, isn’t balanced. As a result, the fluid accumulates, causing extra pressure on the brain and potentially brain damage. This can be due to obstructions, poor absorption, or simply fluid overproduction. 

This condition is most common in infants and older adults. It is variable, differing in age of onset and symptom severity. For younger children and infants, symptoms can include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Lethargy or extreme sleepiness
• Irritability
• An unusually large head or a head that increases rapidly in size
• Eyes fixed downward
• Poor muscle tone
• Seizures
• Failure to thrive
• Poor coordination
• A bulging or tense soft spot at the top of the head

Alternately, in older children and adults, symptoms can include:

• Memory loss
• Vision impairment
• Progressive loss of thinking/reasoning skills
• Poor balance and coordination
• Difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder control
• Headache
• Abnormal eye movements