There was a time when Rudy Tomjanovich was driven to lead. It was his calling. It was his job. That is a part of his past, replaced by his happy duties scouting for the Los Angeles Lakers, including to his amusement the statistical analysis he and his son Trey provide. When the Lakers won last season's NBA championship, Tomjanovich played a smaller, more subtle role than when he coached the Rockets to consecutive titles.
But the need to help is not limited to his career choices. Tomjanovich, 60, will return to Houston this week to host the Texas Children Cancer Center's "Celebration of Champions" luncheon and fashion show featuring pediatric cancer survivors Wednesday at the Hilton-Americas Houston.
"Being involved in things like this, giving of yourself, being of service, that's what I want to do," Tomjanovich said. "There was a time for me to be the head guy. Now there is a time to just go out and do this little bit, to be a spoke in the wheel, and help other people. When I help other people, I get the benefit."
The event is a fundraiser to benefit hematology and oncology research and patient services at the Texas Children's Cancer Center and its Long Term Survivor Program.
A cancer survivor
"It really is a beautiful event," said Tomjanovich, a bladder cancer survivor. "The Texas Children's Cancer Center is a tremendous facility. They are the best in terms of pediatric survival. The champions are these young people at the fashion show and luncheon. These kids have such courage. They keep that positive attitude. That was important for me. You can't get down and wear yourself out. Be happy with everything you have day to day.
"I feel so blessed that someone went out and raised money for research and there was a technique that dealt with my bladder cancer that helped me survive it. I used to think, ?How the heck did they come up with this technique?' People before me helped raise money and did the work. This is a way to give back. Cancer is such a terrible disease. When you hear kids, it's good if it's a 75 percent survival rate. Let's work to get this thing to be 100 percent."
Tomjanovich said he has enjoyed his work with the Lakers since stepping down as coach, though it was awkward for him last season when the Rockets played the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.
"It was very weird," he said. "You're getting paid by one team, and the other team is the team you spent your whole life with. Even though most of the people I was close to are not there, I'll always be a Rocket."
He has worked with former Rockets forward Robert Horry on a product called "Ultimate lock," a premium deadbolt designed by a Houston police officer. He has worked with former Rockets forward Elvin Hayes and former Rockets player and coach John Egan with a health product called CieAura.
Happy to be involved
With each endeavor, from his role with the Lakers and especially to his role as the "Celebration of Champions" host, he said he is happy to play a part.
"I made up my mind," he said, "that everything that I want to be involved with, has to be with helping people or making life better for others."
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
