Lisa Leslie – WNBA Superstar

Lisa Leslie and I have something in common.  No, it’s not basketball. I’ve been to a few Los Angeles Sparks’ games at the Staples Center and have watched in awe as this four-time gold medal winner, three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player, and a seven-time All-Star, led her team to many victories. Her Sparks coach, former Laker champion, Michael Cooper, calls her “Smooth” at practice and on the court. At 6’5”, she is the first woman to dunk in a WNBA game.  I, on the other hand, can barely dribble a basketball.

What we have in common is that we both lost a parent to liver cancer.  While speaking with Lisa early one morning, she shared with me, “After the 2000 Olympics in Australia, my stepfather was diagnosed with liver cancer. Since he suffered from diabetes, he went to monthly medical appointments to keep his diabetes stable and checked his blood panel on a regular basis.  When his liver enzymes were elevated, no one diagnosed the reason as cancer. After a biopsy, everyone was shocked with the discovery and more shocked to hear there were no options.” Her stepfather died three months later.

My stepmother had elevated liver enzymes too. After three days of tests, she was diagnosed with liver cancer and died one week later. She was given no options, just pain medication to keep her comfortable.

According to the American Cancer Society, “Liver Cancer is a serious disease that may not exhibit symptoms until it has progressed to a later stage. For men, the average risk of getting liver or bile duct cancer is approximately 1 in 100, for women 1 in 250.”

Lisa has teamed up with Covidien, a leading provider of healthcare products, to launch an educational website: www.MyLiverCancerOptions.com to provide information and treatment options to patients and their loved ones.  “I believe it is critical to inform others about prevention and treatments such as freezing or burning the diseased areas,” shared Lisa.

Lisa and her husband, Michael Lockwood reside in the South Bay area. This Sparks center player shared that she is retiring at the end of 2009 season and hanging up her  #9 jersey.  “I’m four months pregnant with our second child together,” said Lisa.  She had two stepchildren with Michael.  One is 18 years old and attending Baylor University and the other, a 15 years old at Mira Costa High School. Their two-year-old, Lauren, is excited about a new addition to the family. “She is our boy and girl wrapped into one person,” stated Lisa.  “Lauren is very friendly and will introduce herself to strangers as Lauren Jolie Lockwood,” she says with a giggle. “She plays tennis, practices gymnastics and enjoys swimming.”  Time will tell if she becomes a champion on the basketball court.    

I asked Lisa why she chose the jersey #9?  “Michael Jordan was number nine on the Dream Team and all the best international basketball players wear number nine, so I chose it and wore it proudly for the USA Olympic team,” stated Lisa.

When I asked what her goals are for 2010? “I look forward to being a great wife, mother, and having a happy family.” Lisa has a natural ability to speak and advocate for others in front of the camera and off.  As an accomplished model, commentator, and spokeswoman, her involvement with the March of Dimes, Liver Cancer Awareness, and Breast Cancer Awareness provides educational tools and options to those in need. This angel is a winner on the court and off.  To learn more about Lisa Leslie, read her book:  Don’t Let the Lipstick Fool You: The Making of Champion.

Jill Weinlein is a mother of two and lives near Pasadena.  She can be reached at weinlein@sbcglobal.net.

Andre Agassi – Husband, Father, Tennis Legend and Philanthropist

When I finished Andre Agassi’s book, OPEN, I developed a new appreciation for one of the world’s greatest tennis players. The book reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list in November 2009 and the paperback version goes on sale Aug. 10, 2010. It’s the story of a tenacious athlete who never gives up. It’s also about a boy who grows into a man and realizes that giving back to his community is as good, or even better, than winning a Grand slam.

In 1994, at the age of 24, he created the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.  First, he built a shelter in Las Vegas for abused and neglected children. Next, he created the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls club where he established an elite tennis club.

Even though Andre wasn’t enthusiastic about education as a child and never graduated high school, later in life he was quoted as saying “a good education is the best way to change a child’s life.”

In 2001, he started the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy public charter school in West Las Vegas for underprivileged children going into grades 3rd – 5^th grade. Each year after, the school expanded to finally educating children in grades K-12.  In June 2009, his inaugural graduating class celebrated a commencement ceremony with a 100 percent graduation and college acceptance rate.

Married to Steffi Graf, a superstar in the tennis world, the two are busy raising two children, promoting education reform, and raising funds for their foundations.  I talked with Julie Pippenger, Chief Operating Officer of the Academy, to learn more about Andre the man and philanthropist.

JW: How does a child qualify to enter the Agassi Academy?

JP:  Because the demand for admission is greater than the maximum enrollment, we have to enroll strictly by lottery. First we look at economically disadvantaged applicants that have a sibling already attending the school and live within a two-mile radius of the school.

JW: In Andre’s book, OPEN, he shares that many entertainers, sports superstars, and politicians visit the academy and teach a class. Who was a memorable guest?

JP: In 2004, while in Las Vegas, President Bill Clinton visited the Agassi Academy and taught a short, impromptu class.

JW: When students complete the program and graduate, does the Agassi Academy offer college scholarships?

JP: Yes, as long as the students meet the scholarships criteria.  The scholarship fund continues to grow through numerous donors, so we make sure every child gets the opportunity.

JW: Can you share a success story of one of the students:

JP:  We are proud of every student.  The true success story is every senior who graduates and attends college. The real success of Agassi Prep will start when the students return to Las Vegas as professionals and become community leaders who will set an example for future generations.  One of the reasons this school is a success is that everyone involved in the school strives to provide a first-class education.

JW: Do Andre and Steffi have any vacation plans this summer?

JP:  They travel to Germany every summer. Steffi wants their children to be with family and friends from her homeland.

On October 9^th, Grammy winners, Sir Elton John and Rob Thomas, under the musical direction of David Foster, will headline the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education’s 15^th Grand Slam for Children Benefit concert at the Wynn Las Vegas. Since 1995, the Grand Slam for Children has raised nearly $82 million dollars.  For more information on the Grand Slam for Children, or to get involved, contact julie@agassi.net or go to www.agassifoundation.org

Jill Weinlein is a mom to two daughters and an award winning journalist for Family Magazine Group.