2011 Beard-A-Thon!

The Mario Lemieux Foundation was created in 1993 by hockey legend Mario Lemieux and is dedicated to raising funds for cancer and neonatal research as well as Austin’s Playroom Project, an initiative that creates sibling playrooms in medical facilities.  The Foundation’s projects include: 

•    $3 million gift to the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, to establish the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Diseases at the Hillman Cancer Center
•    $5 million gift to the renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, to establish the Mario Lemieux Centers for Patient Care and Research
•    $2 million gift to the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, to establish the Lemieux Family Center
•    $1.6 million gift to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, to establish the Mario Lemieux Foundation Endowment for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Research and create the Lemieux Sibling Center

Additionally, Nathalie Lemieux created Austin’s Playroom Project after the Lemieux’s personal experience while caring for their premature infant son, Austin.  Austin’s Playroom Project seeks to benefit families and improve the quality of a child’s hospital experience whether as a visitor or patient by establishing cheerful playrooms that are safe, calming and comfortable.  21 Austin’s Playrooms have been established in western Pennsylvania with six additional playrooms scheduled to open in 2011.

For more information visit mariolemieux.org