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Brian Littrell, Andre Agassi, Doug Flutie, David Hyde Pierce
The Heart of ThingsWhen he was just five, Brian Littrell was hospitalized with an infection of his heart valves and wasn't expected to survive. Thanks in large part to doctors at St. Joseph Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, he did -- and went on to worldwide fame as a member of the Backstreet Boys. In 1999 he founded the Brian Littrell Healthy Heart Club for Kids at St. Joseph. Available to children ages 8-12 who suffer from heart problems or are at risk, the program has provided heart-healthy education, exercise, nutrition and counseling to about 150 kids so far. "Children and parents need a place to learn what's good and what isn't for your heart," Littrell says, "and that's what we provide."
Betting on Success
Las Vegas may be the city of lights, but for poor children who live on the edge, it can sometimes be a gloomy place. In 1994, tennis superstar and Vegas native Andre Agassi started his Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, an umbrella of 11 charities that provide educational and recreational programs for at-risk Las Vegas kids. All of the foundation's administrative and overhead costs are funded through contributions made by either Agassi himself or his business, so donations go directly to the charities. The major fund-raiser is the Grand Slam for Children, held in the fall, featuring a concert, dinner and live auction. To date the annual event has raised $42 million for the charities.
Understanding Autism
Ten years ago, San Diego Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie and his wife, Laurie, learned their three-year-old son, Doug, Jr., was autistic. By 2000, they had started the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, devoted to raising public awareness about the neurological disorder that affects an estimated 300,000 children in the United States. "My wife and I noticed how expensive it was for therapy, special toys and other items for Dougie," says Flutie. "We were fortunate to be able to afford such things and wanted to help other families who couldn't." The foundation, which has given away $3 million to date, also provides grants to organizations seeking the cause and a cure for autism.
Fighting an Old Fight
Emmy-winning actor David Hyde Pierce, best known for his role as Dr. Niles Crane on TV's "Frasier," is a national spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association. Both his father and his grandfather suffered from the disease, which affects some 4.5 million Americans today. "Alzheimer's left my family feeling helpless and hopeless, but the Alzheimer's Association gave us hope, and a chance to help," says Pierce. He is committed to raising funds for research into a cure for Alzheimer's, warning that by the year 2050, some 16 million Americans could be afflicted. The Alzheimer's Association has invested more than $165 million to support Alzheimer's research.
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