HallPass Assists as Part of the NBA Summer League’s Ongoing Community Efforts

NBA’s Kevin Love helps launch Rookie Relief for St. Jude online jersey auction
Love and top 2008 NBA rookies donate autographed jerseys for Ebay auction to help
St. Jude find cures and save children

MEMPHIS, TENN. (November 7, 2008) – Minnesota Timberwolves’ rookie Kevin Love is helping kick off the inaugural Rookie Relief for St. Jude, a fundraising campaign to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer centers. As ambassador of the campaign, Love joins the NBA’s top rookies and select league veterans in donating autographed game jerseys for an eBay® auction to be held November 11 – 20. Other participating NBA rookies include Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Brook Lopez and Greg Oden.

In addition, league veterans and past #1 draft picks have donated autographed jerseys in support of their rookie team members. Veteran jerseys available for bid include Yao Ming, LeBron James, Andrew Bogut and Dirk Nowitzki. Fans can check out the complete listings of jerseys by visiting www.stjude.org/rookierelief

While Love battles some of today’s toughest NBA players on the court, he recognizes there are children at St. Jude who are in the battle of their lives. “Becoming ambassador of Rookie Relief for St. Jude was an easy decision. As rookies we are blessed to make it to the NBA and play a game we love as a job. It’s our duty to give back,” Love said. “I hope NBA fans will join us in support of Rookie Relief for St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer.” Love has committed to matching funds raised through the auction up to $12,500.

The Rookie Relief for St. Jude auction is a fundraising promotion created out of the partnership
between the NBA Summer League and St. Jude. The auction will be the cornerstone of annual fundraising program featuring top NBA rookies. The official announcement of the partnership was made during the NBA Summer League’s Tip-Off Reception on July 10 at the Platinum Hotel & Spa in Las Vegas.

About St. Jude:

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

Contact:
Tiffany Strange
ALSAC/St. Jude
Office: 901.578.2344
BB: 901.438.5249
tiffany.strange@stjude.org