By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Luka Dončić has made his home in Dallas the last four years as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
He’s now cementing his home in the hearts of its residents.
He recently surprised patients at Children’s Health in Dallas and Plano with special gifts to uplift their spirits.
To protect the health and safety of the patients receiving care at Children’s Health, Dončić arranged for Children’s Health team members to hand-deliver a bag of surprises to 80 patients yesterday. Each patient admitted in the Pauline Allen Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health received a pair of Jordan sneakers; Jordan drawstring bag, hoodie and socks; a letter from Luka; and a signed photo.
“I really wish I could have been there to meet and talk to the kids but hopefully this surprise brought a smile to their faces and encourages them to stay strong,” said Dončić. “I just want all the kids and parents to know I’m thinking of them!”
Dončić also had individual pizzas – with the number 77 written in pepperoni – delivered to each patient and their family. (Pizzas were customized to meet each child’s preferences and dietary specifications.) Pizzas also were provided to the nursing and other staff members working the floors and helping with the deliveries. They also received heart-shaped, “77”-adorned frosted cookie.
Earlier this year he launched the Luka Dončić Foundation devoted to helping children. He won the Mavericks 2021 Off-Season Community Spotlight Award and was also nominated for the NBA Care’s Off-season Community Assist Award – one of the highest off-court honors an NBA player can receive – for his “tremendous work in the community and ability to unite a global audience through the game of basketball.”
Dončić also made several monetary donations during the historic winter snowstorm in February to help Texans. He also supplied Air Jordan 1 shoes and Mavericks items to healthcare workers who administered vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic.
