The Gasol brothers’ mission to eradicate childhood obesity

Years from now, Pau and Marc Gasol will continue to be remembered as two of the best sportsmen that Spain has ever produced. It is unlikely that any other basketball player will surpass them. Their sporting merits and immaculate careers have their place in the history books, but will also remain in the collective memory of all of those who were lucky enough to see them play. Many have become fans of the game just because of them. That will be their sporting legacy. But there is another objective: within the next 50 years the Gasol Foundation hope to have had a greater impact on society than the two brothers have had on sport.

What does the Gasol Foundation do?

The Gasol Foundation was created in Los Angeles in 2013 when Pau was playing for the Lakers. It’s mission was the fight against childhood obesity. An obvious problem in the United States, but one that also plagues other countries, including Spain. A reality that they quickly confirmed, when establishing a branch of their foundation back home in Spain: “Childhood obesity is a pandemic. We want to recover that word,” says Cristina Ribes, executive director of the Gasol Foundation in Spain. With the problem detected, it then a case of getting down to hard work.

Both Pau and Marc opted for a foundation model that was far removed from what celebrity philanthropy usually looks like. They didn’t want to put their last name and donate money. They wanted to see real change in society. “Valentí Fuster (cardiologist and foundation patron) explained to them the importance of research, of scientific methodology. That the foundation was not just about communication and visibility. That their project had research in its DNA.” And that’s precisely how they want it to function. That’s why the Gasol Foundation works on long-term projects, with schools and families, having a direct impact on more than 67,000 people.

Hands-on involvement

The Gasol brand name was essential to reach those figures, but it is no longer essential to continue with its mission. “The surname opens doors, but if you don’t do a good job then that door quickly closes,” explains Ribes, who also points out that “at first there was reluctance” to finance them because they saw them as just another famous person’s foundation. But with their trajectory over these past few years they have completely changed their perception. Now it is the corporate world that is approaching them, which will make it “sustainable in the long term”.

Pau and Marc donate the financial endowment of any prize they win, but the foundation does not require a contribution from them for “the day-to-day running of the operation”. When Pau started the Gasol Foundation in 2013, Marc started the Bàsquet Girona project. Pau is president of the foundation and vice president of the club and his brother the other way around.

“They are both very committed. We are among their priorities. They are exceptional speakers, but their commitment was already very high while they were still playing,” Ribes adds Now, with both retired from sport, even more so. In the first meeting after retiring, Marc already sent them a clear message: “Count on me.” And his involvement is not insignificant. Because the values that have defined their sporting career have been transferred to the foundation. They want to be demanding, work as a team and seek excellence. Exactly the same thing they did out the basketball court.