As a former Bostonian and wife of a Boston Red Sox fan, I have always been fond of Nomar Garciaparra. The infielder who performed a quirky OCD-like ritual every time he stepped into the batter’s box always struck me as a class act, and my hunch was further confirmed when he wed soccer star Mia Hamm.
He fell for an athlete just as cool and successful as him, and in the years since their 2003 union they have not only promoted the importance of exercise together, but given back to the less fortunate as well.
Case in point: On Saturday, the couple hosted the third annual Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celeb Soccer Challenge. Proceeds all benefit the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation, which raises funds and awareness for families needing bone marrow or cord blood transplants, as well as helping young women in sports.
The event took place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA and includes a collection of professional soccer players, athletes and celebs. Well-known names on the roster include soccer player Brandi Chastain, volleyball player Kerri Walsh, former WWF wrestler Stacy Keibler, Actor Donald Faison and Actor Dulé Hill — check out the event’s Facebook page for a full list of participants.
Hamm has long been dedicated to helping families in need of a marrow or cord blood for a very personal reason: In 1997 her brother Garrett passed away from complications related to aplastic anemia.
“We are excited that the Foundation continues to promote opportunities for young women in sports and we remain committed to helping marrow and cord blood transplant patients and their families cope with the difficult challenges they face each day,” Hamm said on her foundation’s Web site. “Without the support and kindness of our friends and partner organizations, we could not continue to raise awareness and much-needed funds.”
Photo courtesy of momovieman via Wikimedia Commons.
