NBA superstar Damian Lillard donates to fund drive for PGH repair

NBA superstar Damian Lillard has donated P1 million to help Philippine General Hospital repair its facilities after portions of the institution suffered a fire earlier in May, Ang Probinsyano partylist Representative Ronnie Ong said Monday.

In a text message to GMA News Online, the congressman said that he, Lillard and actress Yassi Pressman have delivered over P1 million to the hospital.

"NBA Star messaged Yassi (they're friends) that he wants to help PGH and since Yassi and I were really planning to help PGH. Sinabay na namin," said Ong.

On Instagram, Pressman said it was "heartbreaking" to see "catastrophe" that happened in the hospital.

She also praised medical workers and other members of rescue teams for saving the lives of infants from the blaze.

"It was really heartbreaking seeing all of the infants, sobrang saludo po ako sa lahat ng mga tumulong," Pressman said.

She also showed her visit to the Manila-based hospital along with Ong and Lillard to deliver their donations.

"I want to say thank you to @repronnieong for coming with me right away pagkatapos ko sabihing gusto kong mabisita ang @pghmedicalfoundation, my friend @rajpiku for helping me donate," she said.

"Also, huuuuge thanks to big brother @DamianLillard for sending over such a generous amount, kahit na wala siya sa Pilipinas, just to be able to help," Pressman added.

Pressman, likewise, encouraged the public to donate to PGH, one of the forefront in the country's fight against the pandemic.

PGH, one of the country's COVID-19 referral hospitals, was stricken by a blaze last May 16, which also forced the hospital to temporarily close its emergency room. —NB, GMA News