MERCURY CENTER TINA CHARLES LAUNCHES REBOUNDING CHARITY CHALLENGE FOR HER FOUNDATION, HOPEY’S HEART

Fans encouraged to pledge contributions for every Charles rebound during 2022 season

PHOENIX – Mercury star center Tina Charles announced today the launch of Hopey’s Heart Rebounding Charity Challenge in support of the foundation she founded in April 2013 and its ongoing efforts to increase the number of lifesaving AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) placed in schools, recreational facilities and community centers across the nation

Named after Charles’ late aunt, Maureen “Hopey” Vaz, Hopey’s Heart Foundation is committed to improving sports safety and raising awareness of sudden cardiac arrest throughout the country. Nearly 390,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) occur annually but having an AED close-by can mean the difference between life and death for a victim of SCA. To date, the foundation has placed over 430 AEDs across the world, including seven within the state of Arizona and saving one life on July 13, 2017.

Charles and Hopey’s Heart are committed to placing a minimum of 100 AEDs throughout the United States each year and part of the foundation’s fundraising efforts center on fans pledging dollars for every rebound she grabs in a Mercury uniform this season. More information and the form to donate can be found at: https://www.hopeysheart.org/rebound-charity-challenge/

Charles, who signed with the Mercury on Feb. 4, is a gifted scorer from all parts of the floor and has twice been the WNBA’s leading scorer (2016, 2021), including just last season when the 11th-year player averaged a career-high 23.4 points. Charles has also led the league in rebounding four times (2010, 2011, 2012, 2016), and last season was tied for third in the WNBA at 9.6 boards per game, her highest mark since 2016. The Phoenix Mercury will track and update all rebounds and donation efforts made throughout the 2022 season.

Led by the 2021 Olympic gold-medal winning trio of Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Tina Charles, and coming off the club’s fifth WNBA Finals appearance in franchise history, the three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury return to Footprint Center this summer, tipping off the season with Fry’s Food Stores Opening Night on Friday, May 6, against the Las Vegas Aces.


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