Dallas Mavericks big man Dwight Powell has received the NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente for the month of October, the NBA announced on Saturday.
Powell provided resources and relief to cancer patients and their families, raising more than $600,000 for the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Fund in his sold-out "A Night of Hope" fundraiser in August.
Powell then hosted families from the fund, as well as their caregivers and hospital staff, at the team's home opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 20.
In partnership with UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Powell created the Dwight Powell Children and Family Support Fund to help patients and their children cope with the hardships of cancer after losing his mother to breast cancer in 2012.
“Much of what I’ve learned from Mark Cuban, Coach Carlisle and Dirk Nowitzki throughout the years has been about how important it is to help this community, which has given us such incredible support,” Powell said. “I’m proud to say I’m a Maverick for that reason most of all.”
Powell will be presented with the October NBA Cares Community Assist Award before the Mavericks take on the Boston Celtics in Dallas on Saturday. Kaiser Permanente and the NBA will also donate $10,000 to Champions of Discovery on Powell's behalf.