Michael Jordan donates to Portland medical center named after Nike exec

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — NBA legend Michael Jordan has gifted $1 million to his former Nike confidante’s eponymous medical center in Portland.

Providence Health and Services announced the launch of the Howard “H” White Center for Cardiac Amyloidosis on Tuesday. The new facility will join the Center for Advanced Heart Failure, as part of the health nonprofit’s Heart Institute.

According to Providence, the new center’s namesake and co-founder was treated at the institute in 2017 when he suffered from congestive heart failure. He was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, a disease that occurs when protein abnormally builds up in heart tissue.

White’s condition worsened until he received a heart transplant about three and a half years later — which is the remaining life expectancy for cardiac amyloidosis patients if they don’t receive treatment, Providence reported.

With the new facility, the company and White hope to diagnose and treat patients early on. They also hope to boost equity in health care, as cardiac amyloidosis disproportionately impacts the African American community.

“If you believe anything is possible, you owe it to the world to help someone else believe,” White said in a statement. “I believe this new center will help save more lives, help people avoid needing a heart transplant like I did. And I’m both humbled and inspired by the friends who are joining in to help Providence make this belief a reality.”

White currently serves as vice president of Nike’s Jordan brand. He has known the NBA legend since the 1980s, when he first signed a deal with the Oregon-based sportswear giant.

Actor Chris Tucker, who portrays White in the “Air” film inspired by the Jordan brand, also donated to the new Providence center. Rapper Ludacris, current Nike CEO John Donahoe and Nike Executive Chairman Mark Parker are among the other notable donors.

Providence is still fundraising for the facility.