Cause Captain: Te-Hina Paopao Advocates for Cancer Research and Awareness
At the end of each Athletes Unlimited Pro season, Athletes Unlimited, powered by Give Lively and the Give Lively Foundation, makes a grant equal to 100% of each athlete’s end-of-season win bonus to the non-profit of the athlete’s choice.
Throughout this AU Pro Basketball season, fans can also play a role in bringing awareness to each athlete’s cause. Each week, fans can vote on which athlete’s cause they would like to learn more about, spotlighting the organizations and issues that matter most to Athletes Unlimited athletes both on and off the court.
For Week Four of competition, Te-Hina Paopao was chosen to speak about her cause: the American Cancer Society, a nationwide organization dedicated to eliminating cancer through research, patient support, prevention information, and advocacy.
Q: What is your cause and why did you choose it?
Paopao: My cause is American Cancer Society, and I chose it because I have a really personal connection with my family, and them being affected by it. Unfortunately, some have died from it, and some have survived. So it’s something that I hold dear to my heart, and it’s something that I want to bring awareness to. Cancer sucks and we just need to do everything in our power to dive in and learn more about it and just help create awareness.
Q: What does it mean to you to be able to to raise awareness and funds while playing in AU?
Paopao: I mean, it’s great. You don’t have many leagues that do this. So being able to play for a cause in AU and add another step to why you’re playing–it helps a lot, and it’s really fun. It’s competitive, and it’s something that I enjoy doing, and I hope that we can also somehow bring it to the W as well, because I think it’s a really great thing to do, especially with a cause that you really care about.
Q: How can people help bring more awareness or donate to your cause?
Paopao: People can go to cancer.org, click the link, donate. Learn more about cancer. There are all types of cancers out there. Make sure you go get checked, and just make sure that you have great health and that you just continue to bring awareness to cancer and know that cancer sucks.
Fans can support the American Cancer Society by donating, learning more about cancer prevention and early detection, and spreading awareness about the importance of regular health screenings.
Learn more about AU’s Athlete Cause Program
