The Wayman Tisdale Foundation

Notable Oklahoma prosthetic engineer Scott Sabolich fitted Tisdale for a new leg. While he said it typically took patients an average of 3-6 months to fully acclimate to their new limb, Tisdale defied expectations and was able to adjust to the new leg in just a single month.

Because of his experience, Tisdale and his wife went on to found the Wayman Tisdale Foundation with the goal of helping raise funds for people undergoing the prosthetic process. Still active today, the foundation's initiatives have expanded to childhood health education and preventative healthcare. However, Tisdale's cancer did later return, and he passed away on May 15, 2009.

"Former NBA player Wayman Tisdale had part of his right leg amputated Monday because of bone cancer.

Tisdale, 44, revealed on his Web site that the surgery was scheduled for Monday. His wife, Regina, told The Associated Press on Tuesday night the surgery had taken place as planned.

'Everything went well,' she said."

Associated Press, Wednesday, August 27, 2008. The Express-Star. 

"Former Oklahoma star and NBA player Wayman Tisdale has died at age 44 after fighting cancer the past two years.

A spokeswoman for St. John Medical Center in Tulsa says Tisdale died about 8 a.m. Friday.

The 6-foot-9 Tulsa native was a three-time All-American for Oklahoma before spending 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns."

Associated Press, Sunday, May 17, 2009. The Express-Star.