Mia Hammis a soccer legend and sports icon. As an all‐time leading scorer, Hamm has been US Soccer Player of the Year five times, which is the most any player has been honored.
In 1997, Hamm’s brother, Garrett, passed away from complications related to AplasticAnemia, a bone marrow disease. In his honor, she established the Mia Hamm Foundation. The Foundation’s focus is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for bone marrow transplant patients and their families.
Interview Conducted Via Email By: Giacinta Pace
Q: What is your charity & how are you involved?
Mia: I created the Mia Hamm Foundation to benefit issues that have affected me. The Mia Hamm Foundation has two areas of focus: raising funds and awareness for families needing marrow or cord blood transplants and continuing growth in opportunities for young women in sports.
Tom’s of Maine is making a donation to my foundation as part of their Wicked Cool! Story Hour and Live Chat, which I hosted today. I've teamed up with Tom's of Maine to talk about what's inside a healthy routine and share some tips around looking at your own family’s routines and seeing how you can make them better.
Q: How can people help?
Mia: People can learn more about my foundation via the website miafoundation.org.
Q: What is the nicest thing someone has done for you?
Mia: I have had the fortune of experiencing a lot of people's kindness. I am grateful for all of the acts which have not only impacted me but the work and assistance people give us, as we try to help others through our organization and various projects.
Q: What is the charity act that has been the most satisfying for you?
Mia: On Sunday, we had our 5th Mia Hamm and Nomar Garciaparra Celebrity Soccer Challenge in which Tom's of Maine was a sponsor. During this event, we encouraged those who were watching and participating to register at the provided kiosk into the national bone marrow registry. I am proud to say that we registered over 200 people this weekend and over the past 4 years we have had two marrow matches for a patient waiting to have a life saving bone marrow transplant.
