WBC Cares is fantastic!

We´re entering the sixteenth year of WBC Cares, which has brought joy, hope, inspiration, hugs and toys to children, many of whom are literally fighting for their lives from their hospial beds.

This initiative which has helped so many all around the World, was started by Jose Sulaiman and Jill Diamond. Jill who´s the World Boxing Council´s International Secretary and Global Chair of WBC Cares, has teamed up with Christiane Manzur creating a nucleus, which is a positive force for good.  Kind hearts and open hearts. This is what Jill had to say about WBC Cares and what it achieves:

How did WBC Cares come about and how did you and Don Jose make it a functioning successful reality?

I walked into my first convention and saw so many beautiful faces from all over the world. I was overwhelmed and  truly awed. I remembered at my first meeting with Jose how much he longed to use the platform to inspire and encourage those less fortunate. His words and this vision came together. The idea for WBC Cares was ratified by the BOG at that very convention.

Initially hospital administrators didnt welcome the idea, until they saw the joy of the children and the very real good plus the motivation of champions instilled. How were they won over? What was the catalyst?

It was a struggle. Hospitals where individual boxers visited before were rejecting us when the idea of approaching in an organized group. Finally, with the pressuring of a friend who built Childrens Hosptial LA’s pediatric wing, they were forced to accept us. The magic came in the form or the two perfect representatives: Genaro Hernandez and Eric Morales. Tirelessly, they went together from room  to room with heart, compassion and gifts. Afterwards, the head of Volunteer Services, Dr Ernie Katz wrote us that it was the best visit they ever had from any organization. That letter opened many doors. WBC Cares, in 2006, was finally real.

Genaro Hernandez, who himself was suffering from cancer, was together with Erik Morales a pioneer.  How has his selfless inspiration helped in all of this? He lost his battle, but he won a much bigger one!

Two perfect ambassadors, so gentle and loving with a real passion for the mission, where our luminaries. A couple of years after Genaro passed a father of one of the children Genaro visited, wrote and said that it was Genaro’s encouragement that was the key to has son’s strength. His inspiration and continued visits gave the child the will to carry on through the treatments. He didn’t know, and still may not know, that Genaro himself had passed from the same illness that his son survived. This is a legacy worth being proud of.

How has WBC Cares been able to extend its reach globally?

All of our members and athletes make up our army of angels. They are compensated only with pride and the gratitude. It became a grass roots movement within the WBC. We now have 24 chapters worldwide. And Jose is with us every step of the way.

For you, what is the greatest joy during these visits to hospitals, orphanages, young peoples´ centers and so many other places?

The ability to walk in and see dark eyes fill with light. Watching our athletes transition from warriors by night, into tender healers by day.

Explain about the tremendous inspiration which the  boxing champions are able to encourage children. Fighting spirt to battle with all of their might. With all of their heart and soul?

Never give up. 

They represent every man or woman who has had to struggle, been knocked down and faced adversity. Children know authenticity. They listen, love and learn from our athletes.

What are the challenges ahead?

We are self funded. We could do so much more if we had the means. At times like this there is no shortage of pain, yet an ample opportunity to help, given the means to do so. We do a lot and always want to do more. I thank President, Mauricio Sulaiman for his vision,  my co Chair, Chris Manzur for her support and all the leaders and ambassadors with dreams of their own, who give their time and talent to Cares.

Thanks everso