Luka Dončić Foundation Provides Holiday Cheer at Cook Children’s Medical Center

This holiday season, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and his Foundation carved out time for his favorite tradition.

This year, the four-time All-NBA First Team and All-Star, who has been with the Dallas Mavericks for six seasons, will be helping nearly 275 children, teens and newborn babies in two different countries – his adopted community here in North Texas and his homeland, Slovenia.

“My heart has always been with kids, and I know that being in a hospital, a youth center or facing hard times during the holidays is really tough. I want to do whatever I can to make these kids’ days just a bit happier and better,” said Dončić.

Dončić’s helpers were at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth bearing a number of gifts.

Hand-knit hats and blankets (created by a local knitting club) were distributed to the families of approximately 97 babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Mothers were given gift cards for manicures and pedicures (offered onsite at the Mirror Mirror Salon in the hospital), and a professional photographer was on hand to shoot family portraits destined to be treasured.

Recognizing the heavy financial strains families suffer during a baby’s often long hospitalization, Dončić’s foundation is providing financial support to NICU families who are in need of assistance with paying mortgages and rent, utility bills, car payments and more.

“The holiday season can be overwhelming and stressful for families with newborns in the NICU,” said Brittany McLaughlin, director of the NICU at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Fort Worth. “We are incredibly grateful to the Luka Dončić Foundation for bringing holiday cheer to our patients and families through their generous donations and financial support for our NICU families. This outpouring of kindness will undoubtedly provide them with joyful memories during this challenging time.”