Hornets Players Participate in Hoops for St. Jude Week on Road Trip
By: Lindsey Mitchell, Hornets.com


March 3, 2011

Following a tough start to the longest road trip of the season, the Hornets made a stop on their way to their Memphis hotel.

Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams wanted to change things up and give the team a “new life perspective” as they headed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The visit came just one day before the NBA and St. Jude launch Hoops for St. Jude Week, which starts March 4 and continues through March 11. The NBA, St. Jude, national sports media and league stars will recruit fans to support the hospital and its mission of finding cures and saving children through donations, an exclusive online auction and school fundraisers.

Hoops for St. Jude, an NBA Cares community partner program, is an annual season-long fundraising and awareness campaign.

The Hornets team was greeted by St. Jude CEO Rick Shadyac prior to taking a tour of the facility. Split into two groups, the players and coaches had the chance to see areas of treatment, the “Teen Room” (an area designated for patients between the ages of 13-19 to share some of their unique experiences and challenges, as well as participate in activities such as video games, pool or playing the guitar) and the Chile’s Care Center.

While learning about the chemotherapy area and the different aspects of treatment, the Hornets got to participate in a special ceremony – a “No Mo’ Chemo” party.

When a patient finishes treatment and is heading home, all members of the team that helped them along the way sing and celebrate that the chemo treatments are over.

Hornets players Chris Paul, David West, Marco Belinelli, Emeka Okafor, Willie Green, Trevor Ariza and D.J. Mbenga, as well as lead assistant coach Michael Malone, participated in the party – which was made even more special when the team found out that the 12-year-old was a New Orleans native.

Following the “No Mo’ Chemo” party, the team headed to the Memphis Grizzlies House, a short-term housing facility for families undergoing treatment at St. Jude. The players played basketball with the patients and families, signed autographs and posed for pictures with the kids.

It was a first for most of the Hornets players, however, Williams had toured the facility during his time with the Portland Trail Blazers two seasons ago. He was so touched by the visit that he left the tour and donated platelets at the St. Jude Blood Center before leaving. On this trip, he wanted the Hornets to get a taste of what he had experienced.

“I was able to see kids going through pain and suffering and seeing their parents pray for them. It touches your heart,” he said. “When you see the patients of St. Jude, it makes you realize you have no reason to complain about anything. In fact, I have never seen a child here complain.”

“St. Jude is an undoubtedly an unbelievable cause. No family ever pays for medical treatments. It’s what humanity is about – helping those in need,” Williams shared. “I am glad my players were able to visit today to give the St. Jude patients something to smile about.”

Photos taken by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

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