Hoops for Hope
Justin Friedlander, 13, aims to raise money for brain-tumor research by shooting 63,000 free throws
By Steve Schmidt
How long would it take someone to make 63,000 free throws? Justin Friedlander, of Rockville, Maryland, is trying to find out—with a little help from his family, friends, neighbors and even a few big-time athletes.
Why 63,000, you ask? That's how many people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. Unfortunately in March of 2009, 13-year-old Justin was one of them. He has what is known as an inoperable brain tumor, meaning at this time, there is no surgery or other form of cure.
After receiving the news, Justin and his family decided to team up with the National Brain Tumor Society to start a program called "Justin's Quest." Its purpose: to raise awareness of brain tumors and to raise money for research by having people shoot free throws with Justin. "You want to make the most of a every day because you don't know what tomorrow is going to bring," Justin said.
Having a Ball
On June 23, Justin headed to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the NBA FIT clinic to continue to reach his goal. He started the day with more than 14,000 made baskets. After the event was over, 519 more baskets were added to the total.
Some of those baskets were made by future top draft picks such as John Wall, Luke Babbitt and Gordon Hayward, who manned the free-throw shooting station during the clinic. Although the players looked like skyscrapers on the court compared to Justin, who is 4-foot-7, they all looked up to him in admiration. "That's unbelievable what he's doing," Babbitt said in between a pair of successful free throws.
"I know at that age I probably wouldn't have thought of something like that," Greg Monroe added.
Participants can shoot the free throws with Justin in-person if they live in the Washington, D.C. area or they can send a video or a photo of free throws being made to Justin's website, justinsquest.com. He has shot free throws with at least 50 people so far since the program began last November, including 14-time Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps.
"I think that I'm really going to make a difference," Justin said. "And I really truly feel that I'm going to find a cure for brain tumors and it's just been a pleasure. I'd like to thank the NBA. They've been great. All the draft picks, they've been fantastic."
Net Gains
The day ended with Justin being presented a basketball signed by the future NBA draft picks and another ball with the signature of President Barack Obama. He also received a bag full of NBA merchandise.
"All of this is just mind blowing for this to be snowballing into making a difference," said Justin's father, Jon. "And we will make a difference and help raise awareness and hopefully find a cure for this disease."
So far, more than $38,000 has been raised through the initiative. The goal is to raise $250,000 with every bit of going to the society for tumor-based research.
Max (Hoops for Hope) –I know that many people do some unbelievable things to let people fund raise. Like riding bikes, climbing mountains and other stuff, to save more money and give it to charity. By shooting 63,000 baskets, this challenge is maybe too crazy for a 13-year old, but he going to let us raise money and help brain tumor patients. Even we think this challenge is impossible, they have the heart to do it and make the quest, and want to help those patients!
2010/07/12
Hot Stuff
Hot Stuff
A heat wave breaks records on the East Coast
By Jared T. Miller
President Barack Obama's speeches often spark debate across the nation. But nobody could disagree with the words the Commander in Chief spoke to reporters on Tuesday: "Stay cool out there. Hydrate."
The President gave that advice to reporters leaving the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. The nation's capital is in the midst of a heat wave that is scorching the East Coast. On Tuesday, temperatures topped 100°F from Virginia all the way to Massachusetts, and turned an otherwise relaxing summer into a rush to beat the heat.
Heated Issues
"Man, this stinks," said 14-year-old Miguel Pena, as he rode his bike in New York City. "We just got out of school and this is supposed to be when we have fun, but this is too much." Temperatures on Tuesday prompted the National Weather Service to issue heat advisories until Wednesday night. Several commuter train companies slowed their trains to avoid damaging the rails in the severe heat.
By Wednesday, the heat was more than a small inconvenience. New York's utility company Consolidated Edison reported that it was trying to restore power to the 18,700 outages customers reported a day earlier. Power outages climbed into the thousands across New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Nursing homes in New Jersey and Baltimore experienced problems with power and air conditioning, and in some cases, had to evacuate patients. In Rhode Island and other areas, an increased need for water led to a ban on water-usage outdoors.
Cool Solutions
A period of hot weather is labeled a "heat wave" when temperatures rise above 90°F for more than three consecutive days. That has been true for many states on the East Coast, with temperatures in Newark, New Jersey, remaining in the triple digits the entire time. Tuesday's record highs of 103°F in New York City and 102°F in Philadelphia broke temperature records set in 1999 in the two cities.
But individuals are working to keep things cool despite the heat. At the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey, workers prepared tubs of ice cubes to keep four sick seals comfortable. The Long Island, New York, branch of the Red Cross said local businesses would help give free bottled water to day laborers working outside.
The National Weather service said the heat wave would remain for the majority of this week. Relief is expected to come soon in the form of a cool weather system coming off of the Atlantic Ocean. In the meantime, it's best to heed the President's advice: Stay cool and drink plenty of water.
Max (Hot Stuff) -The earth is getting hot in July, and the whole world(some countries)break the temperature record. In Beijing, China, it broke to 40 degrees, even pandas and apes are eating ice, tires stuck on the road, and can cook fried eggs in the road (because the road is 68.3 degrees)! And in Iran and India, it even broke to 52 degrees! Also, many people died of the “hot stuff”, more water usage, and more opening air conditioner. So it is very bad to be too hot, and it isn’t good for us.
A heat wave breaks records on the East Coast
By Jared T. Miller
President Barack Obama's speeches often spark debate across the nation. But nobody could disagree with the words the Commander in Chief spoke to reporters on Tuesday: "Stay cool out there. Hydrate."
The President gave that advice to reporters leaving the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. The nation's capital is in the midst of a heat wave that is scorching the East Coast. On Tuesday, temperatures topped 100°F from Virginia all the way to Massachusetts, and turned an otherwise relaxing summer into a rush to beat the heat.
Heated Issues
"Man, this stinks," said 14-year-old Miguel Pena, as he rode his bike in New York City. "We just got out of school and this is supposed to be when we have fun, but this is too much." Temperatures on Tuesday prompted the National Weather Service to issue heat advisories until Wednesday night. Several commuter train companies slowed their trains to avoid damaging the rails in the severe heat.
By Wednesday, the heat was more than a small inconvenience. New York's utility company Consolidated Edison reported that it was trying to restore power to the 18,700 outages customers reported a day earlier. Power outages climbed into the thousands across New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Nursing homes in New Jersey and Baltimore experienced problems with power and air conditioning, and in some cases, had to evacuate patients. In Rhode Island and other areas, an increased need for water led to a ban on water-usage outdoors.
Cool Solutions
A period of hot weather is labeled a "heat wave" when temperatures rise above 90°F for more than three consecutive days. That has been true for many states on the East Coast, with temperatures in Newark, New Jersey, remaining in the triple digits the entire time. Tuesday's record highs of 103°F in New York City and 102°F in Philadelphia broke temperature records set in 1999 in the two cities.
But individuals are working to keep things cool despite the heat. At the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey, workers prepared tubs of ice cubes to keep four sick seals comfortable. The Long Island, New York, branch of the Red Cross said local businesses would help give free bottled water to day laborers working outside.
The National Weather service said the heat wave would remain for the majority of this week. Relief is expected to come soon in the form of a cool weather system coming off of the Atlantic Ocean. In the meantime, it's best to heed the President's advice: Stay cool and drink plenty of water.
Max (Hot Stuff) -The earth is getting hot in July, and the whole world(some countries)break the temperature record. In Beijing, China, it broke to 40 degrees, even pandas and apes are eating ice, tires stuck on the road, and can cook fried eggs in the road (because the road is 68.3 degrees)! And in Iran and India, it even broke to 52 degrees! Also, many people died of the “hot stuff”, more water usage, and more opening air conditioner. So it is very bad to be too hot, and it isn’t good for us.
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