Take a good look at the shoes Los Angeles Clippers’ star Blake Griffin is wearing tonight against the Washington Wizards, because they are for a very special cause. Griffin designed the custom Air Jordans with 11-year- old cancer patient Justice Griffith, and they’re being auctioned off to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. It’s a great cause and one that is near and dear to Griffin’s heart.
The custom Air Jordans, called “Just 5s,” were fetching an online bid of $540 at the time of this writing. That figures to continue to rise until the auction comes to a close in two weeks. In addition to the money raised from the auction sale, the Los Angeles Clippers are committed to matching all donations to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles up to $25,000.
“This is an amazing cause and I’m excited to be involved,” Griffin said. “I am lucky for the opportunity to get to know Justice and it was a lot of fun to work with him. He knew exactly what he wanted the ‘Just 5’ to look like, and I can’t wait to show it off on the court and help raise money to benefit CHLA patients like Justice who need help.”
Justice was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 10 and has since received chemotherapy, radiation therapy and had a bone marrow transplant.
Griffin discussed the sneakers and his relationship with children in an interview with Rachel Nichols (starting around the 3:45 mark in the embedded video)
Regardless of what happens on the court and on the scoreboard Wednesday against the Wizards, Griffin is certainly coming out a winner here. You can read more about this fundraiser, or bid on the shoes or make a direct donation to the hospital at blakekickscancer.com.
[Reddit]
