Enter Ron Artest's Laker Ring Raffle

When I initially heard the rumors about Lakers forward Ron Artest giving away his first championship ring to a fan, I cringed. I secretly wanted to be that lucky fan, but I couldn't understand how Artest could so casually hand over something that basically symbolizes what he has spent his entire NBA career fighting for.

I see now that he's fighting for something that is just as near and dear to him, if not more. In numerous interviews since the unveiling of the Lakers Championship rings, Ron has made it clear that he is dedicated to disarming the stigma surrounding mental illness through a selfless gesture. By raffling off his first and only championship ring, he hopes to raise over a million dollars to support mental health charities. 

Ring or no ring, Ron Artest is definitely a champion in my eyes.

If you, or anyone you know is interested in getting in on this amazing cause, you can purchase raffle tickets at RONARTEST.com

Deets on the grand prize for the winner after the jump:
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• Winner will receive Ron Artest's original NBA 2010 Championship Ring (See More Photos) The ring includes the following features:
  • Each and every ring is adorned with a piece of the actual ball used in game seven of the 2010 NBA Finals
  • The two Larry O'Brien trophies representing the back to back titles are made from a custom batch of 16kt gold
  • 16 oversized round brilliant white diamonds indicate the 16 championships the franchise has won
  • Each player is immortalized with a three dimensional sculpture of their face on their respective rings
  • The final score of the Lakers 83-79 game seven victory over the Boston Celtics is represented on the side of the ring in scoreboard fashion 
• Winner and a guest will enjoy an expense paid trip to Los Angeles where Ron Artest will present the Winner with his ring and where the Winner and their guest will enjoy premium seats to an LA Lakers Game. The trip includes the following prize items:
  • Two Premium Seats to an LA Lakers Game
  • Two night hotel accomodations at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills (single room, double occupancy)
  • Round trip coach air transportation from any international airport in the world (as necessary to attend the ring presentation and game, $2,000 maximum)
  • A $1,000 allowance for expenses including meals and ground transportation
• Winner will receive a cash prize in the amount of $13,007.50 to mitigate the Winner's tax liabiltiy that results from winning the raffle. This prize is withheld and paid, on behalf of the Winner, directly to the IRS ($10,750.00) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ($2,257.50)

I got my 5 raffle tickets ~vK

"NBA....Where CHARITY happens."