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Benis007 · 03-01-2007, 09:52 AM

I was sad to see him go, though I think it was the right move for the organization. The character issues may have been true in his younger days, but Charlie is a stand up guy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...t&lid=tab2pos2

Quote:

Updated: Feb. 28, 2007
Villanueva connects with kids through rare diseaseBy Anna Katherine Clemmons
Special to ESPN.com

"Where's Charlie?" they ask. "Is Charlie out yet?"

Twenty-five children and their families sit behind the visiting basket at Madison Square Garden waiting to meet their hero -- Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva, who's in town for a game against the Knicks.

Some of the children, like 11-year-old Derek Kahn, met Villanueva last year. They are here in conjunction with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF).

Gary Dineen/Getty Images
Charlie Villanueva's story is an inspiration to many.
Derek has alopecia, an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss and baldness. Over five million Americans have alopecia, including Villanueva. Although the condition isn't life threatening, most cases like Villanueva's worsen over time, resulting in hair loss over the entire body (alopecia universalis).

In alopecia's early stages hair loss is gradual, making it hard for children to explain to their friends. And even harder to ignore the insults.

"After Derek met Charlie, he took off his baseball hat for the first time," Derek's mom, Debra, says. "He wasn't afraid anymore to show kids that he's different.

"Meeting Charlie was simply the best thing that's ever happened to him. This year, he started counting down about three months ago, asking us every day, 'When are we going to the game again to see Charlie?'"

Villanueva was diagnosed with alopecia when he was 10. His hair fell out in pieces, and by 12 he was bald. During middle school, Villanueva says he got in trouble for wearing a cap in class. He wore it so kids wouldn't ask questions, and he wouldn't have to be the subject of his classmates' teasing. But hats weren't allowed, and he was called into the principal's office several times until his mom intervened. Still, the questions and comments came, which Villanueva endured in an angry silence.

One of 10 children, Villanueva's family was his support, especially his mother.

"It broke my mom's heart to see me go through that," he says. "She was as frustrated as I was.

"It was hard because kids, they don't understand what you're going through. They would make fun of me, so I would get frustrated, but didn't want to show it. I showed it at home instead."

That frustration motivated him to become a better basketball player, through his high school days in New York and New Jersey and two seasons at UConn. Now that he's fulfilling his NBA dreams (drafted by the Raptors in 2005 and traded to the Bucks last summer), Villanueva wants to use his position to help others.

"All those kids who made fun of me, I thank them now," he says, smiling. "They helped make me who I am.

"I want these kids to know that just because you have alopecia, alopecia doesn't have you. If you let it have you, it's going to tear you down."

The courageous star is slowly receiving recognition for his efforts. As the national spokesman for the NAAF, Villanueva has won the Raptors Community MVP Award twice. Last February, he received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award, a prestigious league honor. Working with his brother Robert, he also started the Charlie Villanueva Foundation (CVF), a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating bullying through programs focused on outlets of self-expression and growth.

**speedythief** · 03-01-2007, 10:00 AM

Charlie is a good kid. It was tough to part with him but it is no surprise the people that whined at first have been all but silenced.

We play the Bucks twice in the next eleven days so I hope he plays well, but not too good!

**ballocks** · 03-01-2007, 11:48 AM

love reading stories about charlie and the effect he has (and has had) on anyone with alopecia areata. when you think about the state of the world these days, it seems that the damage that physical abnormalities can cause to the mind is staggering, often debilitating. the importance of role models like charlie villanueva is imo understated. how many stories have i read already...? this guy must've given hundreds/thousands of people new leases on life, and productive life at that. you can hardly think of a more worthwhile contribution to humanity.

to think where he came from, starting with his early entry into the '03 draft pool (and the "he's not ready!" criticism) to his current standing today, makes me ream of pride. i just love when people bring a positive impact to the world, and you can't argue with charlie's at all.

honestly, he might be one of the few, but i really don't care if he goes off for 50/20 tomorrow night and the bucks go home with a win. i really don't mind losing to men like charlie villanueva. at all.

peace

anniebananerz · 03-01-2007, 07:50 PM

What a fantastic role model.

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