With China hit with a series of strong earthquakes in the Qinghai province early Wednesday, killing roughly 600 and injuring 10,000, Rockets center Yao Ming said the Yao Ming Foundation has began steps to offer help.
“I just wish (they will) get good (treatment) over there,” Yao said. “I believe there are a lot of injuries. I hear there is a rescue team already there. I pray for them, and all the people there and all of their families.”
The Yao Ming Foundation has collaborated with iTalkBB on a free hotline (1-877-482-5522 or www.iTalkBB.com) to help relatives of the victims.
“It’s very important if you have people from there who are visiting somewhere else, maybe in the United States, I understand that they would like to contact their family,” Yao said. “I would like to help.
“It just happened now, last night. We still don’t know (how to best help). There are a lot of questions. We need to do some research. Obviously, (rebuilding) the schools, we have some experience now. We can do better than last time.
Obviously, we’re going to search out as many as we can. I heard it last night (there was) an earthquake again. I know there is about 400 people lost in this disaster. I feel hurt, feel sad for them. I wish the rest of the people there, their family get good (treatment) over there, also their families. I believe in the future, we still need a lot of people’s help. Also, in the future, I’m going to find out what I can do to recover that area.”