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How the Pros Give Back

Nov 20, 2007

Thanksgiving is a time for giving. See how these generous athletes deliver off the field as well!

Charities - The Keyshawn Johnson Education Foundation

Keyshawn Johnson retired from the NFL after 11 seasons as one of the game's top wide receivers. But while he was playing, he never forgot where he came from. The Inglewood, California native has always been positive influence in his old neighborhood. His foundation raises money for educational scholarships for under-privileged students. He also hosts around 150 kids ever year to have a Thanksgiving meal with him!

Charities - The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation

At 7'2", the Houston Rockets' Dikembe Mutombo is one of the NBA's biggest men and he also happens to have an even bigger heart. Mutombo has given a lot of his time and money funding medical projects in his native Congo. In memory of his late mother, Mutombo opened the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in 2007. The project cost $29 million and Dikembe donated $3.5 million of his own money to fund the project. The 200-bed facility serves to help give better medical attention to the kids and residents of this poor African nation.

Charities - The Lance Armstrong Foundation

Lance Armstong's foundation raised more than $13 million in 2006 for cancer education and research. A cancer survivor himself, Armstrong is committed to helping find a cure, as well as helping other cancer survivors like himself. One of the ways Lance raises money is through the popular yellow LIVESTRONG wristband. The foundation has sold more than 75 million wristbands worldwide.

Charities - The Mario Lemieux Foundation

In the early '90s, Super Mario proved he wasn't invincible after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. After he beat the disease, the former Pittsburgh Penguins star started his foundation to help fund medical research projects. In 2001, the foundation donated $5 million to the University of Pittsburgh to establish the Mario Lemieux Centers for Patient Care and Research.

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