Like Mike, if I could be like Mike. The world would certainly be a better place if we were all like NBA great Michael Jordan. Not because we’d be able to jump through the gym and score 45 points in a playoff game with a 101 degree fever, but if we all channeled his generosity and passion for philanthropy, we’d be in pretty good shape. Jordan has put his unrelenting competitive spirit and penchant greatness to the world of charity, and has just donated $1 million dollars to the Providence Heart Institute in Portland.
This sizable donation is to set up the Howard “H” White Cardiac Amyloidosis Center. The Center is named after Howard White, who is a former executive at Nike and a close personal friend of Jordan that received treatment at Providence. The Center will focused on using AI to work to diagnose cardiac diseases earlier and track potential warning signs and eventualities. Early detection is vital so this money is going to a movement that will save lives.
Michael Jordan has given millions of dollars to charity over the years, but this particular donation holds a special place in his heart because of the relationship he had with Howard White. White received a heart transplant at Providence and was instrumental in developing the Jordan Brand from MJ’s early days at Nike.
“If you believe anything is possible, you owe it to the world to help someone else believe,” White said in a press release. “I believe this new center will help save more lives, help people avoid needing a heart transplant like I did. And I’m both humbled and inspired by the friends who are joining in to help Providence make this belief a reality.”
Along with Jordan, actor Chris Tucker, rapper Ludacris, and Nike Chairman Mark Parker have all donated to the center. With generous financial contributions like this, we can hope that this next generation of people will have all the weapons at their disposal in the fight against heart disease.
Michael Jordan continues to impress and inspire us all with his charity work. In 2008, the Make-A-Wish Foundation named him Chief Wish Ambassador after granted hundreds of wishes and since has donated millions of his own money.