Dikembe Mutombo is still one of our Most Caring Athletes

Senior writer Dennis McCafferty just got back from the Sports Philanthropy Forum, sponsored by Gannett, at our building today, where he caught up with the NBA’s Dikembe Mutombo. In 1999, Dikembe was one of our first Most Caring Athletes that Dennis wrote about. “I’ve done the Most Caring Athlete issue every year since then,” Dennis says, “and Dikembe’s story was always one of the most moving. His mom died the prior year because she couldn’t get to a hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo because the telecommunications system is so bad. The hospitals themselves lacked even the basic supplies.” Since then, Mutombo’s foundation has received many generous contributions, including a great deal from USA WEEKEND readers. “Dikembe is very appreciative,” Dennis says. “This has allowed for him to build a hospital in his homeland. And he’s launched a new fundraising goal: To get 100,000 people to give $20 a month to help people in the Congo.” Click here to find out more about how to help with his foundation.

Photo courtesy of USA Today