One call was all it took to bring Michael Jordan back into one of his old teacher’s favorite memories.
Jordan surprised his former high school teacher, Ms. Etta, with a video call while she is in hospice care at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, North Carolina. One of her final wishes was to speak with her former student again.
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare staff said Jordan’s name kept coming up as Ms. Etta reflected on favorite memories and past students at Laney High School. After several attempts to reach him, LifeCare social worker Wendy got a call from an unknown number.
“Is this Ms. Etta?” the caller asked, according to Wilmington station WECT 6, which reported it was Jordan on the line.
Wendy was at home when she received the call and drove straight to Ms. Etta so the two could connect.
“They laughed, reminisced, picked at each other, and shared a moment that brought tears to everyone in the room,” Lower Cape Fear LifeCare staff told WECT 6.
In a clip shared by the outlet, Ms. Etta was on a couch in her home during the FaceTime call. Jordan smiled during the conversation.
Ms. Etta and her family told the outlet it was a memory they will remember forever.
Jordan has also recently supported projects in his hometown. In May 2024, he and Novant Health opened a third Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on Greenfield Street in Wilmington. His $10 million donation to Novant Health funded two additional clinics in the city.
“I am confident Novant Health’s new clinic will positively impact individuals and families throughout Wilmington,” Jordan said in a statement at the time, adding that he was “profoundly grateful to help make this day happen for my hometown.”
In 2023, around his 60th birthday, Jordan also made a record-breaking $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish, which the nonprofit said was the largest individual gift in its history.
“For the past 34 years, it’s been an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and happiness to so many kids,” Jordan said in a statement then. “Witnessing their strength and resilience during such a tough time in their lives has truly been an inspiration.”
Read more from People.
