Jennifer Lopez Daughter's Health Scare Leads Star to Give Back
Jennifer Lopez has been helping people who cannot afford healthcare for their children, following a health scare from her own daughter.
Lopez recently appeared on the CNN program special “Big Stars Big Giving,” which showcased celebrities who give back to charity. The host of the special Alina Cho interviewed Lopez, along with singer Tony Bennett and former president Bill Clinton about their charitable efforts.
Lopez is being showcased for beginning the Maribel Foundation, which was inspired by soon-to-be ex-husband Marc Anthony’s sister Maribel who died of brain cancer as a child. However, the Bronx-bred entertainer said she had personal reasons for getting involved with the project.
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Lopez spoke about her three-year-old daughter’s health issue that led to an emergency hospital visit when she was a baby.
"I just remember that feeling of ‘something is wrong with that baby and I'm gonna die,’” Lopez told Cho.
The singer, actress, and American Idol judge recalled worrying about daughter Emme, with her husband at the time.
“I remember looking at Marc and going, 'We should call the doctor'…I started panicking a little bit and he was panicking, too, because…we were thinking, ‘Did somebody drop her when we weren't looking?’" Lopez explained. "I just remember looking at him and saying, 'If Emme's not going to be OK, I'm not going to be OK.’ He's like, 'I'm not going to be OK – none of us are going to be OK.'"
Although Emme was given a clean bill of health, the medical scare caused Lopez to appreciate her own health care opportunities.
“Luckily for us, it turned out ok. I was (thinking) ... what if I didn’t have access to great health care,” she questioned. “What if I was a mom just sitting there and there was something wrong with my baby and there was nothing I could do about it?”
The CNN special will highlight Lopez’ mission to help others struggling with pediatric health care, and will air on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
