The Pump brothers kicked off their 15th annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation gala last Friday honoring Bo Jackson, Oscar Robertson and Thomas Tull with the Lifetime Achievement Award, with special guest Derek Jeter. For the past 15 years, the gala has been a place where some of the best athletes and celebrities share the same room, for the same purpose, raising funds and awareness for the treatment and cure of cancer.
“My mother in law passed away from cancer. Several friends’ parents have also succumbed to the nasty disease so anything that we can do to help out, as a nation, as a world we’ve got to find a cure for this deadly disease,” former Laker and current New York Knicks associate head coach Kurt Rambis said at the event.
Unfortunately, everyone in some way, shape or form, has been affected by cancer, whether that’s the loss of a parent, going through the fight with a friend, losing a sibling or a son or daughter much too young. Julius Erving (Dr. J) lost his sister to colon cancer when she was 37 and a brother to lupus when they were just teenagers.
“When they are denied the life and the promise and the potential that they were shown to have, then it makes it a tragedy. Cancer is a mortal enemy to all of us,” said NBA legend Dr. J who has been a long-time supporter of cancer research.
The Pump Foundation has raised over seven million dollars for the awareness and treatment of cancer. In 2014, they provided 811 people with free health screenings, including 704 mammograms, four diagnostic mammograms, 35 ultrasounds, 13 ultrasound needle placements, 13 biopsies, and 42 follow-up consultations.
Two-time NBA champion Norm Nixon has been supporting for several years now and he knows that raising money and awareness is all about putting together a great crowd.
“The Pump brothers are incredible. They pull together an incredible cast of characters when you look at the line-up of athletes. It’s fun to come and see the guys here, we’ve come here to support Oscar Robertson, Derek Jeter…it’s nice to be in the presence of all these great guys.”
For more information on how you can get involved with the Pump Foundation or attend next year’s annual golf tournament or gala, head here.