NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legendary rock band U2 has thrown its support behind the Legacy of Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization aiding to bring one of Nelson Mandela's final wishes to fruition - the construction of the 5^th dedicated children's hospital on the entire continent of Africa. The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital will provide access to high-quality medical care for the children of Southern Africa, regardless of their ability to pay. This facility will have a profound, transformative effect on healthcare in the region. All members of U2, including Bono, a longtime ally and friend of Mr. Mandela and supporter of his charitable efforts, signed one of the Edge's acoustic guitars for Legacy of Hope. Bono, who was recently injured during a cycling accident in New York City, has been recuperating following surgery, but nevertheless still wanted to show his support. Prolific rock star Bono tagged the guitar with the inscription, "There's no them there's only us!"

When reached for comment, Eric Gast, CEO/Executive Producer of the Legacy of Hope Foundation, stated "We are truly honored that U2 would show their support with this wonderful gesture and I'm moved that Bono, in his current state, would have the resolve to help support Mr. Mandela's dream of free and accessible healthcare for the children of Southern Africa."

The Legacy of Hope Foundation has garnered the support of numerous artists, celebrities and distinguished civil rights leaders, some of whom serve on its Honorary Board, including Ruby Bridges, Christy Turlington Burns, Ed Burns, Viola Davis, Dame Judi Dench, Arun Gandhi, Whoopi Goldberg, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Katherine Heigl, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ashley Judd, Nicole Kidman, Larry King, Sir Ben Kingsley, Salma Hayek Pinault, Natalie Portman, Susan Sarandon, Octavia Spencer, Charlize Theron, Ben Vereen, Barbara Walters, Elie and Marion Wiesel, Her Highness Princess Dalal Al-Saud, and the late Dr. Maya Angelou.

About Legacy of Hope
Legacy of Hope, which was created the year before Mr. Mandela passed, was designed to deal with healthcare reform for children worldwide. It aims to achieve this through its relationships in a collaborative manner between the medical, music, entertainment, and philanthropic communities. Legacy of Hope also represents a larger, sustained campaign with a cornerstone of education by utilizing positive messaging and education, nondenominationally and nonpolitically, to reach a younger generation. Empowering youth worldwide and encouraging a new generation of leaders of change and peace is one of the cornerstones of this valued campaign.

About the Hospital
The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital will be located adjacent to Wits University's Medical School in Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa. This is in close proximity to other medical facilities and allows for pediatric academic teaching access to Wits Medical School, maximizing operational efficiencies and staffing models. Speaking to Mr. Mandela's values of social justice, compassion, and solidarity, this dedicated children's hospital will provide high quality and accessible healthcare to a chronically underserved population – regardless of race, socio-economic status, or ability to pay – and is expected to have powerful, far-reaching effects in South Africa, the region, and the continent at large, which is home to over 450 million children. Being the fifth dedicated children's hospital on the entire continent, this tertiary-level facility will provide state-of-the-art, highly specialized child-centered care. The facility will also aid in training the next generation of healthcare professionals as well as conduct robust research, addressing issues of quality and access to critical care. It is expected to be a harbinger of transformative child healthcare reform and will bring the region closer to meeting the Millennium Development Goals outlined by the United Nations.

For more information, please visit http://www.legacyofhope.org
For press inquiries, please contact Legacy of Hope at (949) 380-0923
Download Legacy of Hope's free app available for all IOS and Android platforms at www.legacyofhope.org/app/

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150109/168103

SOURCE Legacy of Hope Foundation

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http://www.legacyofhope.org