(SLIDE)(BlackDoctor.org) — When most people think about celebrities, images of too much money, fancy cars, even fancier homes, and people who are, pretty much, exclusively dedicated to only themselves.
Of course, this is not always the case. Many celebrities, in fact, are well-known champions of various causes, charities and organizations, and use their money and status to try and help make the lives of others, and even the environment, better.
Here are 10 top celebrities, and who are doing what they can to help make us all a little healthier…
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Magic Johnson – HIV/AIDS
Since its inception in 1991, the Magic Johnson Foundation has worked to positively change the face of urban, minority communities. Programs and services are dedicated to harvesting an affirmative affect on community revitalization by eliminating negative cultural barriers; advancing economic and social equality by engaging minorities in every aspect of their communities; increasing academic and innovative achievement; raising HIV/AIDS awareness, treatment and prevention; the creation of positive emerging leaders; and promoting collaboration and alliance among all sectors of the community (businesses, educational institutions, legislative, community and faith-based organizations, and policymakers).
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Boris Kodjoe & Nicole Ari Parker – Spina Bifida
The Sophie’s Voice Foundation was founded in 2008 by actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker in honor of their daughter Sophie who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. The news hit hard, but through consulting with various specialists and by educating themselves they found a way to address their daughter’s needs and provide her with the best care and treatment available today. Their organization supports family outreach programs, prenatal education and surgical studies for children and adults with spina bifida.
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Alicia Keys – Childhood AIDS
Keep a Child Alive Foundation is dedicated to providing life-saving AIDS treatment, care, nutrition, support services and love to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and India by directly engaging the global public in the fight against AIDS.
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Anthony Anderson – Alzheimer’s Disease
Anthony Anderson, in honor of a friend, recently became an Alzheimer’s Champion for the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research. The organization works on a global, national and local level to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
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Tisha Campbell Martin – Austism
Tisha Campbell-Martin explores the overlooked world of autism, in particular in the Black community, in a ground-breaking documentary. The Colored My Mind Global Documentary chronicles five women who are taking on the system to protect their families, and families that cannot protect themselves.
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Akon – Malaria
Founded by R&B artist Aliaune “Akon” Thiam and Ms. Kine Gueye Thiam in 2007, the Konfidence Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth in Senegal, West Africa and the United States by promoting health and education, and supporting impoverished families. Akon and Ms. Kine’s hopes their concentrated efforts in Senegal and the United States will serve as an international platform to unite these two great nations and help build the Africa of tomorrow. The Konfidence Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with offices in Dakar, Senegal.
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Star Jones – Heart Disease
Star Jones, attorney, television personality, former prosecutor, political insider, philanthropist, best selling author and lecturer, has added heart health advocate to her impressive list of credentials.
In March 2010, Star underwent successful open heart surgery to correct a genetic abnormality and repair her aortic valve. After undertaking an intense 3-month cardiac rehabilitation program, Star returned to her regular schedule of activities…with a new lease on life and a dedication to making heart health her philanthropic focus.
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Holley Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete – Austism
Inspired by a father and a son, HollyRod Foundation was founded in 1997 by actress, author and philanthropist Holly Robinson Peete and her husband former NFL great Rodney Peete. The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to providing compassionate care to those living with Autism and Parkinson’s disease. Efforts of the HollyRod Foundation are providing a better quality of life for individuals and their families.
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Tony Rock – Diabetes
Rock launched The MyROCK Foundation which is charity organization to build awareness and prevention of diabetes among African Americans, and he understands the significant impact of this disease – his father passed away from the complications from this disease when Rock was younger.
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Montel Williams – Multiple Sclerosis
The Montel Williams MS Foundation is dedicated to furthering the scientific study of multiple sclerosis. Its goals are to provide financial assistance to select organizations and institutions conducting the most current research, to increase allocations for research from the federal government and to raise national awareness about MS. The Foundation contributes 100% of funds from individuals to research.