Keanu Reeves has long since bought himself a status as one of the best people in Hollywood.
The 57-year-old actor has developed a reputation around the world for the good deeds he does, such as giving up his salary in favor of the effects team in the movie The Matrix or giving up his seat to people on the subway.
But what many fans may not know is that Reeves has been running a private charity for the past 5 years, an organization that contributes to children’s hospitals and cancer research.
The beginning of Keanu Reeves’ life was not easy. His father was not around when he was a child, his mother moved from one spouse to another, and he suffered from severe dyslexia.
After leaving school to pursue his dream of becoming an actor, things could have taken a different direction and lead him to a completely different life.
Of course, we know it did not happen, and after working hard to get to where he is today, Keanu Reeves became a world star after starring in films like Speed and The Matrix.
But even then the goddess of fortune wasn’t always there for Keanu. His then-partner, Jennifer Sim, became pregnant by him, but their world collapsed when their daughter was born lifeless. Her death was unbearable for Keanu and
Jennifer and it eventually led to their breakup.
Tragically, 18 months after their breakup, Jennifer was killed in a car accident. Reeves lost his lover, his best friend and his daughter.. and could easily have given up life himself.
Fortunately, that did not happen. During all his years of fame and fortune, something kept bothering him. Something that told him there was a way he could do more.
So without anyone knowing, Keanu Reeves set up a research foundation for cancer patients in honor of his little sister, who had been diagnosed with leukemia several years earlier.
“I have a private foundation that has been running for 5-6 years, and it helps some children’s hospitals and cancer research”, he
told the Ladies Home magazine. “I do not like to tie my name to the foundation. I just let the foundation do what it does”.
For Keanu, the foundation was no way to make headlines or in the spotlight. It was just his way of helping everyone, no matter if people knew about it or not.
We know, right.. It’s a sign of a real hero ..
What a man Keanu Reeves is. He proves time and time again that he is a real and loving person.
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