Udonis Haslem Raises $6 Million to Give Back to Community in City That Gave Him Ultimate Honor

Udonis Haslem has been forever immortalized in Miami. After spending almost 20 years with the Miami Heat, the organization recently retired Haslem’s jersey number 40. But Haslem’s connection with the city runs deeper than that. He was born in Miami. Now Haslem is giving back to the community that has taken him in with open arms with $6 million.

The 3x champion lost his biological mother, Debra Haslem, to cancer in 2010. His mother was diagnosed with cancer right after they mended their relationship. The Miami Heat legend does not want others to have the same fate as him. With this, Haslem is now raising money for cancer research.

“A look back at the past few years at Bounce Back from Cancer™️… Together we helped raise more than $6m towards cancer research and we ain’t done yet‼️ Register now to join me on Saturday, March 16,” wrote Udonis Haslem on Instagram while sharing images from the annual ‘Bounce Back from Cancer’ event.

The Miami Heat is working with the Baptist Health Foundation to raise money for the Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. Haslem’s influence has greatly helped the cause, as they have already raised $6 million. However, this is just one of the few ways in which Udonis Haslem is giving back to the city of Miami.

The Udonis Haslem Foundation was started because of his stepmother

During Haslem’s first season in the NBA, one of Barbara Wooten’s family members passed away. Barbara wanted to help the students who were in need of supplies at the school where the family member was working.

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This initiative led to the start of UD Kids, which years later became the Udonis Haslem Foundation. Barbara Wooten was an active member of the foundation until her passing in December 2023.

The main goal of the foundation was to help young children with their education. They also provided resources and supplies to people in need and underprivileged families and people. His current work with cancer research is just another part of the work done by Udonis Haslem to make the world a better place for everyone.

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