Last month was Make March Matter (MMM) month at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. During the annual MMM drive the hospital partners with companies and organizations to help children battling cancer have unique experiences. The hospital also uses MMM proceeds and donations to make sure that every child treated at the hospital gets the critical and lifesaving care they need. Martin Feinberg, Culver City Realtor, can’t think of a more worthy cause.
This year one of the children that were spotlighted in Make March Matter was Culver City resident Justice Griffith. Justice is a graduate of El Rincon Elementary School and is currently enrolled as a sixth grader at Culver City Middle School as well as the CCUSD iAcademy. Justice was born with a common form of cancer that affects 1 in 3 children and teens diagnosed with the disease—acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). ALL affects the bone marrow, causing it to produce too many immature lymphocytes.
In conjunction with the MMM program, Justice was able to design a special pair of shoes with Los Angeles Clippers star power forward Blake Griffin, which Griffin then wore at the Clippers March 29th game against the Washington Wizards. Justice and Griffin designed the Jordan Brand Super Fly 5 shoes together on a laptop. The design includes an infrared upper with a black speckled mid-sole and the letters and number J-U-S-T 5.
“My dad taught me that five had power, so if you look at it, it says ‘Just Power,’” Justice said.
This year the Clippers Foundation has a goal to raise $1 million for the hospital and many Clipper players spent time visiting children and their families at Children’s working to raise money for the effort.
According to Griffin, the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champion, “in this day and age, it is almost impossible to not know someone who has been touched by cancer. Making sure the person who is going through this situation has things to look forward to, to be happy about, to be positive about. … Hopefully, this will help.”
Culver City School Superintendent Josh Arnold has been impressed with Justice’s resolve in fighting ALL and says he is an inspiration for the entire district. “To see a student like Justice, who faces daily challenges we can only imagine, remain strong, creative and brave is the epitome of Culver pride,” Arnold said. “Everyone in the [district] family is rooting for Justice, and we encourage everyone in the community to check out the Make March Matter fundraising program on-line to help CHLA make a difference for children like Justice.” Culver City Real Estate encompasses all schools in the Culver City Unified School District.
The game-worn, autographed shoes designed by Justice and Griffin are currently being auctioned off at www.clippers.com/auction. There are less than two days left to bid and Martin Feinberg, Realtor, encourages interested buyers not to delay. All proceeds will go to the Make March Matter fundraising program.
