What was one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, the former Chicago Bull, Scottie Pippen, doing at the Buoniconti dinner? Not only was he being honored that night as a sports legend, but Scottie told CGG about his brother’s 40 year struggle with paralysis and why the Buoniconti Fund is so important to him. He hoped that the event would raise its goal of $6 million to fund research to find a cure for paralysis. “Well I hope they continue to raise money and continue to be able to fund the research and what they need to continue to find a cure,” Pippen said. He has personally witnessed the devastating effects of spinal cord injury, saying “It definitely has hit home to me and I think that this is a great cause and hopefully in the future, no one will have to suffer the way I have seen my brother suffer the last 40 years.”

Note: The evening went beyond the Buoniconti’s goal and raised over $7 million in one night! (Not too shabby in this economy might we add).

CGG: Can you tell me why you’re out here tonight?
Scottie Pippen: I’m being honored here tonight from a great foundation, the Buoniconti Foundation for paralysis. It’s a great foundation, it’s great to be honored among some of the greatest athletes in their various sports and it’s just great for me to be here and be a part of something and knowing that it’s for a great cause.

CGG: Has paralysis affected anyone you know?
SP: Yeah, it actually affected my brother when I was about four years old. I had a brother who got paralyzed in a gym class and he’s still paralyzed to this day; he’s 53 years old. It definitely has hit home to me and I think that this is a great cause and hopefully in the future, no one will have to suffer the way I have seen my brother suffer the last 40 years.

CGG: What do you hope will be the result of tonight?
SP: Well I hope they continue to raise money and continue to be able to fund the research and what they need to to find a cure.

CGG: What other causes are you passionate about?
SP: I’m passionate about diabetics for one. I have a mother who’s diabetic. I have very deep feelings for anything revolving kids, or child abuse, things of that nature. I definitely put this among the top because of the fact that I lived through it at a younger age.

CGG: What advice do you have for young people to change the world?
SP: Just dream…dream and reach for your dream and never give up.

CGG: And what about young kids who are out for the draft, high school basketball players – how did you make it?
SP: I think again it’s about dreaming and working hard, and trying to reach your goal. I think dreams are where everything starts and you have to dream before you can achieve and that’s how you accomplish. My advice is to never give up on your dreams.