Look To The Stars News: Derek Strong

Chris Tucker To Host Charity Run/Walk

Fri, 29 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

The race against childhood cancer at the 4th Annual Brittiana “Smile For Life” 5k Run/Walk May 30, 2009 at Pacific Palisades High School, will bring the loving legacy that 13–year-old Brittiana Henderson left with the many people who knew her and her story.

Host, actor/comedian Chris Tucker, adored Brittiana’s courage and her love for others – he often refers to her as his “little sister”. Co-host Keke Palmer – star of “True Jackson, VP” – is excited about participating in this year’s event and ecstatic to be racing against childhood cancer.

At the age of 10 Brittiana was diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Courageously, she fought this disease and was like any other cancer patient, subdued to the confinements of the hospital. She painfully underwent chemotherapy and partial knee replacement surgery, in which never stopped her love from shining through the hospital walls. Remaining optimistic about her own struggle, Brittiana would visit other children in the hospital offering hugs, smiles, love and reading stories (her favorite).

With the help and support of Brittiana’s parents Jamie and Shirell Henderson, they organized a non–profit organization called BrittiCares International with that same infectious love to help others. Brittiana was able to attend the 1st annual Brittiana “Smile For Life” 5k run/walk in 2006, as her battle with cancer came to an end January 31, 2007. Her legacy lives on two years later as celebrities, communities, family, friends and organizations, all gear up for the race to help children stricken with cancer, leukemia, sickle cell anemia and other serious blood diseases.

The “Smile For Life” 5k run/walk proceeds go toward BrittiCares’ uplifting programs which focus on improving the quality of life for children battling for a chance at life. Before the race begins, an opening ceremony will take place, including a song, dance, and dedication lap with all patients, survivors and Angelinos that have succumb to cancer. For those participating in the competition race, chip timers will be provided. Following the race will be family fun, games, raffles, performances, shopping and much more.

Other celebrity guest appearances will be former NBA player and NASCAR racer Derek Strong of Strong Racing, along with his speedy race car. NFL’s Chester Pitts of the Houston Texans and NBA’s Bryon Russell of the Utah Jazz will also attend. Teen celebrities lending their support include Chelsea Tavares, Tyler Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”), Kofi Siriboe (“The Longshots”), Kwame Boateng (“Not Easily Broken”), Kwesi Boakye (“I Can Do Bad All By Myself” & “Men of a Certain Age”) and many more.

More info can be found at the BrittiCares Website.

LTTS Exclusive: NBA and NASCAR Legend Derek Strong

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

From 1991 to 2001, Derek Strong played in the NBA for the Washington Bullets, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers. And when he retired, Strong did something that no one else has. He became the first NBA player to successfully transition into NASCAR as a driver.

Now, Derek’s STRONG Racing team is breaking barriers. It’s the first team in NASCAR history to have African-American female owners – Dawn Whitaker and Erica Hill. Hill is also the co-founder of Peace International, a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to build schools in remote areas throughout the world.

Look to the Stars first talked to Derek Strong at the Shane's Inspiration Shooting Stars Gala, where he spoke about his love for kids.

“I played in the NBA for about 11 years and every year we did something with children’s hospital, we did things to help inner city children and I’ve been around children practically all my life, and I think it’s very important that we do get out there because they are our future,” he said from the red carpet.

After making such a statement, Look to the Stars had to interview him about his love for kids, his diverse and inspirational racing team, and what inspires him.

Derek, we met you at the Shane’s Inspiration event last month where you mentioned your love for children. Was there one particular event that prompted you to get involved with children and charity?

“Yes, when I went to the children’s hospital. It really touched me, seeing these kids hooked up to IV’s all day, confined to their unit, and not knowing if they would live to see the next day. It was heartbreaking. They are just starting out in life and they’ve been in the hospital everyday fighting cancer or another illness. And I want to help, help the kids, help the families, help find a cure because they should be outside playing with other kids, they should be on the playground not in the hospital.”

Have you had an opportunity to work with any of these kids?

“That’s what I’m trying to do now. I want somehow for our racing team to donate a percentage of our wins to the hospitals or to organizations that help the kids. This is really what I’m trying to accomplish because children are our future. As an adult we can guide them in the right direction and help them. As the future generation, they’re our future survival, and the more we give them and guide them in the right direction, they’ll turn out okay.”

You founded Strong Racing in 2001, what kind of success are you having?

“We started racing in 2001 and we progress every week. We have potential to do very well. When we started, we declined a bit, but now we’re finding the chemistry and I think we’re going to do well.”

How would you recommend other people get involved in charity work?

“First thing is to find what touches you, what moves you. And then research.Find an organization that benefits your cause. Get involved. Follow you heart.”

Do you think Hollywood is sort of ‘obligated’ to get involved?

“I don’t think anyone is ‘obligated’ but I do think there should be some involvement.”

What talent would you most like to have?

“The talent to heal.”

What trait do you most admire in others?

“Resilience. When someone is planning on doing something, and no matter how hard it is, they stay on course until they get what they want. I admire that.”

What is your most treasured possession?

“My family.”

Aside from family, who has been a personal inspiration to you?

“A teammate of mine from college, he was like my brother and taught me about life and kept me on the straight path.”

Look to the Stars would like to thank Derek Strong for taking the time to speak to us, but more importantly, for taking an interest in helping the children and inspiring others to do the same. To view the video of Look To The Stars talking to Derek Strong at the Shane’s Inspiration Shooting Stars Gala, click here.

LTTS Exclusive: Shane's Inspiration Shooting Stars Gala

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ lead host Michele Vink attended the star-studded Shane's Inspiration gala in LA on Saturday, and met one of the children who benefit from the charity’s efforts.

“I will sing for everybody in the world….Once I see some people. I will walk on stage on my legs!” His brand new robot legs to be exact.

These are the words of the brave young Spencer that I interviewed briefly before he prepared for his musical performance. Tonight he would be singing with some of his other friends from Shane’s Club Children’s Choir. I asked him for a preview of the song from the musical, Wicked, that they were to perform later that night but was denied so I would pay special attention for his important stage entrance.

“When I was first born I had bending legs. I was walking on them until I felt so much pain. I didn’t want to want to get the pain anymore. So… I cut my legs off. I went to Shriners Hospitals for Children and got surgery. I got two shots and I didn’t scream or nothing… they cut off both of my legs and I got the new robot legs."

It is amazing children just like Spencer that were the focus of the 2009 Gala for Shane's Inspiration at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Guests like Derek Strong, former NBA player and now racecar driver, came out to support this great event and help raise funds for playgrounds and programs that will impact the lives of all children. The Gala Committee includes such stars as Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Emma Roberts, Steve Valentine, Laura Sangiacomo and Julia Roberts. Joe Mantegna's own daughter has autism and he felt it was an honor for him to be the Master of Ceremony of this annual event tonight.

The mission of Shane’s Inspiration is to “create Universally Accessible Playground and programs that integrate children of all abilities socially, physically and emotionally fostering acceptance, friendship and understanding.” Not only do they make an impact with these new playgrounds, but they also offer free programs including field trips, play clubs and educational programs that reach over 5,000 children a year throughout Southern California.

Imagine taking someone like Spencer to the playground to meet up with his friends and not being able to interact with the other children because they are limited to only a few pieces of equipment on the playground. This creates an immediate obstacle in the benefits of play, keeping the children with disabilities segregated from their peer groups and social circles. By creating these Universally Accessible Playgrounds, it also allows the “typically-able” children the necessary opportunity to interact with children with disabilities. They learn to accept and interact with children that may be different than them and “eliminate bias against children with disabilities.”

So the next time a child like Spencer wants to walk on stage to “sing for everybody in the world”, the world will see his abilities, not his disabilities. If it takes a village to move a mountain, how hard could it be to build a few playgrounds?

Join The Shining Stars At Shane's Inspiration Gala

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity that aims to eliminate bias against children with disabilities by creating accessible playgrounds and programs that integrate children of all abilities is to hold a star-studded gala this Saturday, March 14.

Hosted by Joe Mantegna, the Our Shining Stars gala will benefit Shane's Inspiration, a charity established in 1997 after founders Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams lost their son, Shane Alexander, to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type I: Werdnig-Hoffman Disease) only a few weeks after his birth.

Expected to attend the gala are Dakota Fanning, Slash, and former NBA Star and current NASCAR racer Derek Strong. Guests will be treated to cocktails, dinner, Rockstar Photobooth, entertainment from comedian Chris Fonseca and a special auction featuring a donated one-of-a-kind collaborative painting. Paraplegic artist Tommy Hollenstein – who paints with the wheels of his wheelchair – created the painting with the collaboration and signatures of sixteen rock stars, including Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Slash, and members of Incubus, Santana, The Cars, The Knack, and The Cult.

To date, Shane’s Inspiration has created 22 Universally Accessible Playgrounds in Los Angeles and around the world. It received the first “Heroes for Health Award” by Good Housekeeping Magazine and General Electric, and has been lauded by People Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. Parent Magazine, L.A. Business Council and numerous others.

The gala will take place at the Beverly Wilshire on Saturday, March 14, starting at 7pm. More information can be found here.

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