Category Archives: Children’s Hospital Visits

Boy Grows Out Hair for Nearly Three Years to Donate to Cancer Patient

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Long hair…this kid does care!

When (then) 8-year-old Thomas Moore from Maryland found out how brutal cancer is to the body–as explained by his mom Angie Polus after watching  a video of 5-year-old cancer patient Kyssi Andrews, he decided to donate his not quite long enough locks.

“Once I explained that she had cancer, and what cancer was, and how chemo affected the body he immediately decided he wanted to grow his hair long again and give it to Kyssi,” Polus says.

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It took Thomas two years to grow out his love locs. Sadly, Kyssi passed away June 2015. Yet, it made Thomas even more determined to grow out his hair to help others.

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Thomas’ hair journey from a Luda-style afro, Solange-esque curls circa Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams and over the shoulder was all worth it.

This month, at 10, he was finally able to cut his hair. His aunt tweeted the news, which was retweeted over 61,000 times and liked 121,000 times.

Thomas’ beautiful mane was made into three wigs for sick children, reports Scary Mommy.

As if that’s not a reward in and of its self, NBA player Derek Anderson will present Thomas with his Act of Kindness Award through his foundation Stamina in October.

Thomas told Scary Mommy he’s just happy his hair doesn’t get caught in the bushes when he plays outside.

Fair enough.

 

MCM | NBA Hall of Famer Visits Mozambique with UNICEF

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Dikembe Mutombo took a break from defending his house to visit a Mozambique hospital supported by UNICEF last week.

The former Houston Rocket took the sojourn to the southern African nation, alongside Eric Bledsoe of the Phoenix Suns, to spread awareness about UNICEF Kid Power–a program meant to combat malnutrition (affecting 16 million children worldwide) by motivating kids to be active.

Dikembe (a UNICEF board member) and Eric met with some of the children battling the illness. And discussed life-saving treatments UNICEF provides for malnourishment, like protein packets the org distributes to each child.

UNICEF Kid Power program also helps kids pay it forward. The more active kids are wearing their power bands, the more points they’ll earn to go on missions spreading the programs effectiveness. Thus saving lives.

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Dikembe did his part too by challenging the local b-ball team to some hoops.

If you’re wondering how well the Maputo team defended their house…the score is still being tallied.

To learn more about UNICEF Kid Power click here.

Feel Good Friday Roundup

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Beyonce’s Lemonade album drop wasn’t the only good news this week. Sorry Beyhive. There was a lot of reasons to slap on that Kool-Aide smile, starting with FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s fencing lesson from Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad in Times Square Wednesday. To kick-off coverage of the Olympics this summer and promote her Let’s Move Campaign!

Gotta love a woman that kills two birds with one stone.

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Knicks baller Carmelo Anthony and wife LaLa paid a visit to their No. 1 fan, Anthony Skipper at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Florida earlier this week. Melo and La have been visiting Anthony, who suffers from a brain disorder, frequently since learning he’s a big Knicks fan. So they couldn’t miss being by his side during one of his major surgeries.

Awww who says you shouldn’t meet your heroes.

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Black-ish star Marcus Scribner was picked to be the first ever Youth Advocate Ambassador for The Sandals Foundation. Marcus visited Jamaica recently where he lent a hand for Earth Day.

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Finally, my favorite feel good story of the week is about perseverance and a piano. Ohio teen Darrius Simmons was born with just four fingers, but it didn’t stop him from teaching himself how to play the piano. At 10.

Recently he began posting videos of him tickling the ivories and got noticed by pianist Yiruma, who was scheduled to play Carnegie Hall on April 22nd. He invited Darrius to join him, reports NBC New York. Not only did 15-year-old Darrius accompany Yiruma he brought Carnegie Hall to their feet.

Check the video below for a small sampling of Darrius’ piano skills.

Hope all this goodness is contagious.

 

 

Ludacris Visits Children’s Hospital | Anthony Anderson Hosts Compton Grocery Giveaway

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Merry Ludacrismas!!

The Prince of ATL made his annual visit to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital yesterday. The “Fast and Furious” star came with smiles and stuffed animals to brighten ill kids moods. Judging by the faces it worked wonders.

“Making their day makes my day,” Luda wrote in an Instagram post below.

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In another post the father of two gives a shout out to the parents’ ability to cope with a sick kid during the holidays.

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Luda wasn’t the only one putting smiles on children’s faces. “Black-ish” star Anthony Anderson teamed up with Compton mayor Aja Brown for a “Christmas Grocery Giveaway” today.

They were serving up Turkey’s, hamburgers, hotdogs, canned goods anndd…wait.for.it.Patti Pie’s y’all. Not one. Not two. Rows and Rows of Patti Pies. If that wasn’t enough to get ’em in I don’t know what will.

In between packing shopping carts with goodies (like 8 or 9 Patti Pies) Anthony Anderson took selfies with kids and had a dance off.

Love these guys for giving back to their hometowns.

 

J Cole and Jordin Sparks Visit Sick Fans

Nurse, we need candy stripper outfits, STAT. Because rapper J Cole and pop singer Jordin Sparks want to surprise some deserving fans.

The “Be Free” rapper did just that earlier this week, minus the red-and-whites. When visiting Fayetteville, North Carolina native Tae Stackhouse at the North Carolina Cancer Hospital. Tae’s aunt and mother arranged the meeting between the superfan and his fave artist. And made it even more worthwhile with his encouraging words.

I really appreciate this just wanna give a big s/o to my mom and my aunt for bringing my favorite rapper to see me 󾍛🏽 I’…

Posted by Tae Stackhouse on Thursday, November 19, 2015

J Cole can add another good deed to his ever growing list (providing homes to single moms and attending a fan’s graduation he helped pay tuition for.)

Meanwhile, Jordin Sparks was making new friends at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

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The gangsta looks are too cute.

 

 

 

Saint Nick! AGT Host Rocks Times Square for Children’s Hospital

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Nick the-man-that-never-sleeps Cannon. Seriously, I think his nights are usually spent like this. Well, as always his efforts are for a good cause. In this case, he threw a shindig in Times Square (at Hard Rock Café) with his nearest and dearest–Nelly, the Harlem Globetrotters, the Craig Lewis Band and Alicia Michilli– last night to raise money for St. Mary’s Childrens Hospital.

The City’s oldest and sole pediatric post-acute care hospital has a good friend in Cannon who went on a 48-hour media blitz to promote St. Mary’s.

Rapper Nelly joined in on the fun. Hanging out with some new friends before he hit the stage.

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The Harlem Globetrotters may have signed their youngest b-baller.

And the night couldn’t end without Nick taking the stage…but thankfully he DIDN’T rap. We’re all grateful for that.

I’m sure all the kiddies felt like they were flying after the concert.

UPDATED Ludacris Kicks Off Annual Charity Weekend | Nick Cannon Makes Kids Smile

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Ludacris’ 10th annual Ludaday weekend–a four day extravaganza benefitting his Ludacris foundation– kicks off today. On the docket tonight is a “red carpet affair” with power couple Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union serving as MCs.

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But the “Ludaversal” rapper got the party started early when he invited 1000 kids and their mentors to an Atlanta Braves game last night at Turner field. Hip Hop Gives Back posted a video of Ludacris tossing shirts to the squealing crowd of kids.

Adding to that Ludacris will return to his high school alma mater to preach the value of living healthy.

We’ll post more pics and video of Luda Cares star-studded event raising money for Atlanta youth.

As promised below are snaps of the red carpet affair and bowling competition that pitted Ludacris against Usher

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Teddy Riley came out to support Luda

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A grey-goateed David Banner was in the building

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And the winner of the charity bowling tournament is…

Nick Cannon Gives Gifts to St. Mary’s Hospital Kids

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Ludacris isn’t the only one that loves the kids. Nick Cannon paid a visit to St. Mary’s hospital (he’s their celebrity ambassador) to play Santa Claus. Minus the suit and well, it’s September and all. Nonetheless the kids got gifts from Radio Shack. Wonder if it was a going out of business sale… hey, they said they were closing up shop.

Well not better Nick Cannon scooped up some goodies for his fave St. Mary’s kids. Nick even taught them some new moves. Check out the video below.

And made a new friend.

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