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| NBA star Yao Ming hosts telethon for SARS research |
| CCTV.COM 2003-05-13 10:05:27 |
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 Chinese basketball superstar and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming has hosted a celebrity telethon in his hometown Shanghai to raise money for the fight against SARS. The three－hour program was aired by Shanghai Television Great Sports Channel and the NBA Television Network on Sunday.
During "Super Star, Super Love," the two－point－twenty－three－meter big guy took questions from viewers by phone, SMS text, and the Internet. He helped raise over 300,000 US dollars for research on the deadly disease. All donations will go to the Shanghai Branch of China's Red Cross Society.
"I'm really delighted to be able to play a role in the fight against SARS in our country. Besides the moral support, I've also made some financial contributions. Hopefully we will get this disease under control," said Yao Ming.
Many big names in sports and entertainment joined Yao Ming for the fundraiser. The NBA was represented by superstar Michael Jordan and Commissioner David Stern. Soccer star Vitor Rivaldo and tennis great Andre Agassi were also in the line－up.
Earlier, Yao Ming attended a farewell ceremony for army medical officers leaving Shanghai to help in the anti－SARS efforts. The star center gave them autographed basketballs along with his best wishes.
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Editor: Han Ling CCTV.com
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