Stephon Marbury Joins with United Family Charitable Fund Philanthropy to Establish Youth Medical Rehabilitation Program in China

Millions of children in China are born with cerebral palsy. More than 20,000 children are disabled as a result of sickness or accidents each year. Rehabilitation medicine can change the life of these people, improving their health and chances for a happy and independent life. Rehabilitation medicine also plays a large role in improving professional sports performance.

On June 18, 2015, the United Family Charitable Fund (“UFCH”), the philanthropic arm of United Family Healthcare (“UFH”), China’s leading provider of private healthcare, today announced a partnership with former NBA® star and current China Basketball Association (CBA®) Beijing Ducks MVP, Stephon Marbury, to found the United Family-Marbury Program for Youth Rehabilitation. The announcement was made at an inaugural signing ceremony that took place at UFH’s Beijing United Family Rehabilitation Hospital, the capital’s premier international-standard comprehensive medical rehabilitation facility. As a co-founder of the Program for Youth Rehabilitation, Marbury intends to raise public awareness about the benefits of rehabilitative healthcare in the Chinese medical industry, especially juvenile rehabilitation, which will help give children and young adults the opportunity for a better life.

“Young people are the future of the nation,” said Marbury. “Children with disabilities who receive rehabilitative care have a better chance at a higher quality of life. That means everything. Kids who have congenital diseases, like cerebral palsy, or that get into a life-changing accident often can’t initially take care of themselves. After receiving long-term rehabilitative treatment and care, they can hope to walk again, experience the joy of something as simple as a verbal exchange and start on a path towards a better life.”

After the inauguration, Marbury participated in exercises and even shot some makeshift baskets with pediatric patients from UFCH who were receiving treatment at Beijing United Family Rehabilitation Hospital.

“In the United States,” Marbury further noted, “rehabilitation medicine is an important, mature part of healthcare that many go through as the final step of the healing process – not just athletes but regular people. I myself have experienced the benefits of rehabilitation medicine. However, in China, rehabilitation is still in its early stages and needs more attention and development. Starting up the Program for Youth Rehabilitation will help others gain awareness and better understand the benefits of rehabilitation medicine in China.”

“We are honored to have a star as famous as Stephon Marbury join us in creating this groundbreaking rehabilitation program in China,” said United Family Healthcare Board Chair Roberta Lipson,  co-founder of the Program for Youth Rehabilitation. “Stephon Marbury is one of the most beloved athletes in the country. He cares a great deal about public health and wellness, which is just one of the many reasons we created this program together. United Family Healthcare looks forward to the impact Mr. Marbury will make in promoting rehabilitation medicine in China. With more attention given to the development of rehabilitative treatment and care after surgery in children and young people, the field will continue to grow and improve.”

“Beijing United Family Rehabilitation Hospital is a premium, pioneering facility in China that represents our commitment to give our patients the very best in rehabilitative healthcare,” Lipson continued. “The hospital is staffed by the foremost rehabilitation specialists in the country as well as experts from abroad, using the latest equipment and techniques. We are bringing the most advanced, international-standard rehabilitation medicine to patients of all ages and walks of life.”

The United Family-Marbury Program for Youth Rehabilitation will accept children and young people in need of rehabilitation who apply to the program at Marburycares@ unitedfoundation.org. Those who meet selection criteria after assessment will receive medical rehabilitative care through UFCH. At the same time, UFH will raise funds through donations and invest at least RMB 2 million in medical services to charitable projects each year.

Marbury’s team will work closely with UFCH to conduct a quarterly analysis of the amount of donations as well as the medical status of the children undergoing rehabilitative care.