Magic Johnson Donates $14 Million to Michigan State Health Care for Neonatal and Maternal Care — A Spartan Legend’s Gift of Life and Hope
East Lansing, MI — June 26, 2025
In a deeply personal and profoundly generous gesture, Michigan State University Health Care has announced a transformational $14 million donation from Spartan legend and NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The contribution—one of the largest individual gifts in the university’s medical history—will fund the creation of the Earvin & Cookie Johnson Center for Neonatal and Maternal Health, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to saving the lives of mothers and newborns across Michigan.
Johnson, a Lansing native and proud Michigan State alumnus, returned to campus this week for the announcement. Standing before a packed crowd at the MSU Health Pavilion alongside university officials, medical professionals, and community leaders, Magic spoke emotionally about his inspiration for the gift.
“I’ve won championships, I’ve stood in front of millions, but nothing compares to giving a child their first breath and giving a mother the care she needs to survive childbirth,” Johnson said. “This is about life. It’s about legacy. And for me, it’s about giving back to the place that gave me everything.”
The $14 million donation is part of MSU Health Care’s $100 million campaign to revolutionize neonatal and maternal services in the state, with a focus on underserved communities, advanced neonatal technology, and culturally competent maternal care. Johnson’s gift will fund:
A new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) equipped with next-gen incubators and life-support technology.
Maternal wellness suites offering individualized care plans, midwife integration, and postpartum support.
A mobile outreach program targeting rural and urban areas with high infant and maternal mortality rates.
Scholarships and fellowships for students entering neonatal nursing and maternal medicine at MSU’s College of Human Medicine.
Dr. Lillian Torres, Chief of Neonatal Services at MSU Health Care, called the donation “a game-changer.” She added, “This center will not only save lives but train the next generation of neonatal and maternal health leaders. Magic’s vision and compassion will ripple through generations.”
Magic and his wife, Cookie, visited the neonatal ward before the announcement, spending quiet moments with parents and preemies. He was seen holding the hand of a mother whose baby weighed just under two pounds. “He cried with us,” she said. “He listened. He cared.”
MSU President Dr. Elizabeth Cavendish praised the Johnsons’ legacy, saying, “This is more than a donation. It’s an act of humanity. Magic Johnson has always been a symbol of strength, but today, he showed us the true meaning of heart.”
The Earvin & Cookie Johnson Center for Neonatal and Maternal Health is expected to break ground in early 2026, with doors opening by 2028.
As the event closed, Magic turned to the crowd and offered one last reflection: “Spartans take care of each other. This is just the beginning. Let’s save lives—together.”
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