Ahn Jung-hwan, a former national soccer team player who is now a broadcaster, donated 64 million won to Ajou University, his alma mater, to fund treatment for children with cancer.
Ajou University said on the 8th that the donation Ahn delivered will be used to support treatment costs for pediatric cancer patients at Ajou University Hospital and for related research. Ahn declined a separate donation ceremony or appreciation event, according to the university.
Ahn, class of '94 in the Department of Business Administration at Ajou University, began his professional career in 1998 with the Busan Daewoo Royals. He went on to play in overseas leagues, including Italy, and helped Korea reach the semifinals at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.
Since 2021, Ahn has run his YouTube channel and has steadily donated the revenue to support children in low-income multicultural and grandparent-grandchild households and to help pay patients' medical bills. With this donation, his cumulative giving totals 500 million won.
Ahn said, "It is meaningful to be able to complete the target donation amount at my alma mater."
Choi Ki-joo, president of Ajou University, said, "It is meaningful that a proud alumnus who elevated the school's standing personally put the value of sharing into practice," adding, "We will provide support so that Alumnus Ahn's warm heart can be delivered to children with pediatric cancer."