Please donate to the Dikembe Mutombo Memorial Fund

NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo was not just an outstanding basketball player; he was also a remarkable ambassador for goodwill across the globe. As the first NBA Global Ambassador and the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program, Dikembe dedicated his life to making a difference. Born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as the seventh of ten children to Samuel and Biamba Marie Mutombo, he overcame numerous challenges to reach his dreams. Arriving in the U.S. on a USAID scholarship, he initially aimed for a pre-med career at Georgetown University, but soon redirected his passion to basketball, joining the prestigious Hoyas team, ultimately leading to an illustrious 18-year NBA career.

Dikembe’s commitment extended far beyond the court. He served on the boards of influential organizations, such as the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Special Olympics International, the National Constitution Center, and the CDC Foundation. In 2007, he founded a hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, honoring his beloved mother. The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital has treated over one million patients to date.No one is turned away due to an inability to pay.

After a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer, Dikembe passed away on September 30, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of compassion and strength, survived by his wife, Rose, and their three children, Carrie, Jean-Jacques, and Ryan. His impact on the world will be felt for generations to come.

Dikembe once said, "Our legacy in life is about the race, and this race is not finished, we just have to pass the torch".

Your generous, tax-deductible gift will help the Mutombo Family continue Dikembe's mission of healing through the Dikembe Mutombo Memorial Fund.

Thank you.

Susan M. Johnson, Coordinator for DMMF