Gerard Butler on Haiti: 'Still so much to be done'

Last January, I took part in the Hope for Haiti telethon that George Clooney organized, & I was overwhelmed at the love & support that came in from across The united states & around the world.

For a lovely part of my life, I have been a bit of a rogue — not always living the best, healthiest, most responsible life.
But I feel like I have turned myself around, gotten my personal life & career together, & I love what I do. Along with this contentment has come an increasing desire to give back to others.

It was a great experience, but what touched me even more was how thankful & appreciative the donors were to me — even though they were the ones calling in & donating funds. Even now, three months after the earthquake, there is still so much that needs to be done for the people of Haiti. I am heading there this month with the nonprofit Artists for Peace & Justice. The organization's immediate objective is to build schools to serve the poorest areas of Haiti. I am sponsoring a school down there for three years. Now, I am lucky to make a bit of funds, but I need you to know that you don't must sponsor an entire school.

Every contribution makes a difference. Along with my support of Haiti, I have had a long-standing involvement with the charity Children Kicking Cancer. Started by Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg — a martial arts black belt who lost his first infant to leukemia — KKC teaches children with cancer or cancer-related illnesses the healing, mind-body themes of martial arts training. They learn methods of relaxation, meditation, pain management, deep breathing & karate — all of which provide them with a sense of purpose, teamwork & unity.

If I am being honest, I must say I am a bit of latecomer to the world of giving back. It is mostly come since I started acting.

The babies I meet as part of my work with KKC are such an inspiration to me. I get so much more back from these children than I give. The power, the strength & the sheer joy in these children — lots of fighting for their lives & in chronic pain — is wonderful.

With an increased profile, I was approached to support various causes. I used to think "why me?" but then I realized that lending my support to an important cause can raise its visibility & hopefully encourage others to support it, .

They all have a voice & the ability to make a contribution — whether financially or through volunteering.