Press Release from the Office of Florida Governor Charlie Crist:

TALLAHASSEE- Governor Charlie Crist today recognized Alonzo Mourning of Miami as this week’s Point of Light in honor of Fitness/Nutrition Awareness Month.

“Alonzo Mourning has dedicated himself to the cause of children and families through his extensive charitable and fundraising efforts,” said Governor Crist. “As a former NBA star and survivor of degenerative kidney disease, Alonzo has been an inspiration both on and off the court.”

In 2000, Mourning was diagnosed with degenerative kidney disease and told he would never play basketball again. Due to the compassion of his cousin, Jason Cooper, Mourning received a kidney transplant in 2003 which helped rebound his basketball career and allowed him to become a key player on the 2006 Miami Heat championship team.

In 2007, Mourning organized the “Donate Organs Pass It on Campaign” promoting a specialty license plate designed to support organ and tissue donor awareness. In addition to his campaign efforts, Mourning assisted in fundraising which provided three-year-old Omar Ferguson, a native of the Bahamas, a liver transplant that saved his life. Mourning donated $50,000 to fund Omar’s live-saving operation and challenged members of the community to also give to this worthy cause.

Mourning also founded Alonzo Mourning Charities, an organization which supports abused and neglected children. Alonzo Mourning Charities supports several non-profit organizations through fundraising events such as Zo’s Summer Groove and Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout.

Mourning is a champion in the basketball arena as well as in his community, receiving numerous awards such as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Player of the Week and the NBA Community Assist Award.

CSX and AAA Auto Club South are supporting sponsors of the Governor’s Points of Light Award. This program recognizes Florida residents who demonstrate exemplary service to the community. Award recipients are announced weekly. A panel of judges comprised of leaders in the areas of volunteerism and service evaluate all nominations and make recommendations to the Governor. The Volunteer Florida Foundation manages the program. For more information, or to submit a nomination, go to www.VolunteerFloridaFoundation.org.