Posted:
13 years ago
1984
January -- During the filming of Pepsi commercials, Michael
Jackson is burned. As a result of the on-set accident, he is admitted to
the Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, California. Despite
palm-sized second and third-degree burns to the back of his head when
pyrotechnics, somehow, went awry, Jackson visited several other burn
patients and later donated a hyperbaric chamber (used to treat burn
victims) in addition to a large donation toward preparing and equipping
the Michael Jackson Burn Center. [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The King
of Pop' and 'Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour' by Lisa
D. Campbell (Branden Books 1993 and 1995)]
April -- Michael Jackson endows a nineteen-bed unit at the Mount Sinai New York Medical Center,
a division of the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia and Cancer
Research. [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary' by Adrian
Grant (1995)]
May -- Michael Jackson donates the use of his song Beat It to a national advertising campaign against drinking and driving.
For his contribution, he received a Special Achievement Award presented
by President Ronald Reagan. [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The King of Pop'
and 'Michael Jackson: The King of Pop's Darkest Hour' by Lisa D.
Campbell (Branden Books 1993 and 1995)]
July-- Michael Jackson and his family hold a press conference to
announce the changing of the ticket distribution system for the Victory
Tour. During his speech, he announces, "Finally, and most importantly,
... I want you to know that when I first agreed to tour, I decided to donate all the money I make from our performances to charity." Three charities benefited from Michael's generosity: The United Negro College Fund established the Michael Jackson Scholarship Fund which, by 1988, had provided scholarships for 70 students at UNCF member schools , Camp Good Times for terminally ill children and the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia and Cancer Research. [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The Magic And The Madness' by J. Randy Taraborelli]
July -- The Jacksons perform at Texas Stadium in Dallas, donating 1200 tickets to underprivileged children (valued at $39,000). [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary' by Adrian Grant (1995)]
July -- The Jacksons, performing in Jacksonville, Florida entertain eight children suffering from incurable diseases.
Fourteen-year-old Malanda Cooper, a young victim, who has only a short
time to live, writes the Major asking to meet Michael. Michael meets her
backstage prior to a performance. Later 700 disadvantaged children are treated to the show. [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary' by Adrian Grant (1995)]
August-- As negotiations for a performance in Gary, Indiana break down, the
Jacksons transport forty children from the Thelma Marshall Children's
Home for orphans, foster children and abandoned children, The Hoosier
Boys Home and the Donzels Work Study Program for high school students
working toward a college education to Detroit, Michigan for the third
performance there. [Source: 'Michael Jackson: The Visual Documentary' by Adrian Grant (1995)]
Summer _- David Smithey a fourteen year-old fan, through the auspices of the Brass Ring Society, fulfills a lifelong dream. He is invited to visit Michael Jackson in his home in Encino. David, a victim of cystic fibrosis
had long wished to meet Jackson. The two young people shared an
afternoon watching movies in the private screening room, eating lunch
and playing video games. Before leaving, he was treated by the superstar
to a black sequined glove and his red leather jacket from Beat It.
Seven weeks later, David Smithey died. [Numerous sources]
