Dwight Howard organizes blood drive to honor Craig Sager

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 27: TNT reporter Craig Sager is seen on the sidelines during the NBA season opener between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans at ORACLE Arena on October 27, 2015 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Houston Rockets star Dwight Howard is honoring legendary basketball reporter Craig Sager with a blood drive this week.

Over the course of the last month, there has been more and more attention being paid to the health of Turner Sports reporter and NBA staple Craig Sager. After announcing that his leukemia had returned and he was going through another round of treatment, the NBA community has shown their support for the lovable sideline reporter.

While Sager is going through treatment in Houston, Texas, one of that city’s basketball stars is doing something to help out people fighting for their lives while honoring Sager at the same time. Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard is organizing a blood drive this week in the city to help raise awareness and do his part to help those in need.

The blood drive will take place at the team’s home arena, the Toyota Center, on Wednesday, leading up to their home finale against the Sacramento Kings. Fans will get a t-shirt with an image of Howard and Sager and the hashtag “Sager Strong”.

Like many others, Howard says seeing friends and family dealing with cancer (including Sager) have inspired him to do something:

"Craig is a close friend of mine, my family. He’s part of the NBA family. You hate to see anybody who is a part of you go through anything. I just want to do whatever I can to help."

Howard has been the subject of criticism for much of his NBA career, dating back to his leaving the Orlando Magic for the Los Angeles Lakers. None of that matters when you see him doing something classy to help out those in need.

Sager was diagnosed in 2014 and initially the disease went into remission. He had returned to work last March, but was told that it returned. While undergoing treatment, Sager has continued to work for Turner Sports in their coverage of the NBA and NCAA Tournament, insisting he will also be working for NBC covering basketball during this summer’s Olympic Games in Brazil.

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