Submitted by ekrupnick on Mon, 2008-09-22 01:00

Lopez Lomong, the Sudanese-born track and field athlete who carried the U.S. flag in the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, announced his support for the John Dau Sudan Foundation (JDSF) and its initiative of transforming healthcare in Southern Sudan.

"Lopez is in a tremendous position to bring attention to resources for the cause," said Chris Royce, member of the JDSF Board of Directors. "They would be a very good match because it wouldn't be feasible for Lopez to start his own foundation right now, considering he's getting paid by night to travel the world."

Lomong's story goes beyond the concept of the "American dream" - something he feels he's fulfilled. As one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, his connection with more than 27,000 others who were displaced like him or orphaned, prompted the 23-year-old track and field athlete to team up with JDSF.

Royce added that Lomong is just the starting point for a number of the JDSF projects that are in the works, including a major national recording artist potentially going on tour to raise money for the foundation.

Now an Olympic athlete, Lomong said he feels it's his responsibility to spread awareness about the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2003) because an estimated 1.9 million civilians were killed. Now that the war has ended, he and Dau said they believe the most important part of Sudan that needs to be revitalized is the area of basic healthcare.

"So many other athletes that were well-renown, but he was chosen," Dau said, alluding to Lomong leading the U.S. Olympic team at the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games. "A guy from Sudan, with the name 'Lost Boy,' it's a big thing."