Pau Gasol to be honored by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
For all of his countless support during the past four years as a Laker, Pau Gasol will be honored with the “Courage to Care” award Oct. 20 at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles’ gala titled “Noche de Ninos” at The Event Deck in L.A. Live.
Gasol has appeared at Children’s Hospital more than 10 times since joining the Lakers in 2008, and the visits went beyond photo opportunities.
As a former medical student at the University of Barcelona, Gasol viewed three spinal surgeries, including one I caught on video this past summer. He has also struck a close friendship with Dr. David Skaggs, the chief orthopedic surgeon.
He has donated about $250,000 to the hospital, including a $25,000 check he presented over the summer after receiving the NBA’s inaugural Kia Community Assist Award.
Gasol also served as the hospital’s ambassador during an NBA Cares event leading into the 2011 NBA All-Star game in Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, Gasol, a native of Spain, helped form a partnership between the hospital and Grifols, a Barcelona-based global healthcare company that donated equipment to the L.A. facility. He also has talked of a fellowship that would have the hospital training doctors from Spain.
The Walt Disney Co. and television host and model Heidi Klum. are also to be honored at the Oct. 20 gala at the Event Deck in L.A. Live.
“We are deeply appreciative of our steadfast relationship with The Walt Disney Company, Heidi Klum, and Pau Gasol,” Richard Cordova, the CEO of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said in a statement. “It is our privilege to honor them at Noche de Ninos and highlight the incredible work they do. Their continued compassion and support has made a truly positive impact in the lives of countless patients and families.”
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