Pau Gasol grew up torn between two callingsheal with a stethoscope or inspire with a basketball. As a kid, he once said he wanted to become a doctor and find a cure for AIDS, inspired by his hero Magic Johnsons diagnosis. But destiny nudged him toward the hardwood, not the hospital. He ended up in Lakers gold, just like Magic. And today? He may not wear a white coat, but Pau is still fulfilling that childhood ambitionserving and uplifting lives, just off the court.
That mission took shape in 2013, when Pau Gasol and Marc Gasolwho may have made their names on the courtlaunched what might be their biggest assist yet: the Gasol Foundation. It wasnt about stats or rings anymore. It was about something far bigger than basketballhelping kids live healthier lives. Growing up with parents in the medical field, the importance of health and well-being was instilled in them early. So when they saw how serious the childhood obesity crisis had become, they didnt just talkthey took action.
And that action led to a powerful moment Pau recently shared on Instagram. Today we have presented the Longitudinal STEPS Study together with the @gasolfoundation team, our collaborating entities and the Minister of Health, @monicagarciag_, he wrote. For 3 and a half years, we have followed the evolution of boys, girls, and teenagers in Spain.
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What they found was sobering. Spend 11 more hours a week in front of screens. Do 18 minutes less of physical activity a day. And they present greater emotional unease, Pau explained. He didnt hold back: This data warns us about a worrying reality: if not taken preventively during childhood, healthy habits deteriorate rapidly. We must transform the environment in which our sons and daughters grow up to facilitate healthy choices and curb this trend.
Pau Gasol isnt just raising awarenesshes raising the bar when it comes to childrens health. Studying the level of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle of children and adolescents in our country is necessary to promote policies and educational interventions that contribute to preventing childhood obesity, he said, wearing his President-of-the-Foundation hat. And hes absolutely right. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is one of the leading global risk factors and plays a major role in the rising obesity crisis. Its not just a statits a reality too many families are living through.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Pau (@paugasol)
Thats where the PASOS Study comes ina game-changing initiative launched by the Gasol Foundation, alongside the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute and supported by partners like the Probitas Foundation, Santander Bank, and the Bar�a Foundation. This nationwide study is all about understanding how active or inactive kids really are in Spain. With backing from Spains Ministry of Education and Health, and even the High Commissioner against Child Poverty, the study reflects how serious this mission is. And with 18.1% of kids aged 6 to 9 already facing obesityand another 23.2% overweightPau and Marc Gasol are using their platform to do what theyve always done best: lead with purpose, and fight for the next generations health.
Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol team up for charity golf
Pau Gasols mission to fight childhood obesity is hitting the golf course, and hes bringing a powerhouse lineup with him. From June 19 to 22, the Gasol Foundation Golf Invitational will take over the scenic La Hacienda Links Golf Resort in southern Spain. But the real head-turner? Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is joining Pau for the tournament. Yep, two of Spains biggest icons are swapping sneakers for spikesall for a cause that couldnt be more urgent: raising awareness and funds to tackle childhood obesity, which now affects 1 in 3 kids in Spain.
Its not just Rafa. The event will also feature hoops star Rudy Fern�ndez, soccer stars �lvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso, and golf pros �lvaro Quir�s and Gonzalo Fern�ndez-Casta�oboth seven-time DP World Tour winners. The tournament itself spans both of La Haciendas championship courses, and guests will be treated to a stay at the luxe Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol Hotel, plus a gala dinner and charity auction. Paus clear about the goal here: The event is born from our commitment to promote healthy living and prevent childhood obesity. Its an opportunity to raise funds, generate awareness, and enjoy golf in a spectacular setting.
The resort is equally excited. Javier Jimenez Casquet, La Haciendas director general, shared, We have been inspired by the passion and dedication of Pau Gasol and everyone at the Gasol Foundation in tackling this important issue, so it will be a pleasure to make our contribution to the cause. And Pau echoed that same passion: This tournament was created with a clear purposeto raise funds to continue promoting our mission of preventing childhood obesity through the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits. With legends like Nadal on board, this isnt just a golf eventits a movement.
Pau Gasol may have traded in a stethoscope for sneakers, but he never let go of that childhood dream to heal. Today, hes using every ounce of his fame to uplift lives and reshape childrens futures. The mission? Still medicine, just with a different playbook.
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