The Simpsons Co-creator Donates $100M To Animal Rights Charity After Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Another wealthy man has been added to the short but growing list of people who have pledged to help create a better world by donating a significant part of their fortune to charities.
In the case of Alibaba founder Jack Ma, it was the realisation that his $28 billion couldn't buy him happiness.
Read: China's RIchest Man, Alibaba Founder Jack Ma, Confirms $28B Could Not Buy Him Happiness
For The Simpsons co-creator Sam Simon, it was his colon cancer diagnosis in 2012 that made him decide to bequeath $100 million to several charities, including one that cares for dogs and another that ensures 400 poor families have their daily bread.
Certainly, Simon is so much aware that wealth cannot buy health, although he jokingly says that being a known cancer patient has its "perks" such as getting publicity and picking up girls.
"Cancer is a horrible disease. I am struggling with it. It's everything people tell you about. It's a journey. It's a fight. It's tough," CBS quotes the man who helped create cartoon land's most famous dysfunctional family - Bart Simpson, dad Homer, mum Marge and sisters Liza and Maggie - whom Simon discuss in this video.
YouTube/TVLEGENDS
Together with Matt Groening and James Brook, the trio changed the face of television when they introduced one of the longest-running cartoons on TV which had earned them multiple awards and oodles of money.
The 59-year-old Simon recalls that when he was initially diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago, he was given three months to live. When shown his scans, doctors described the images as "the scans of a dead man."
Simon didn't beat the big C, but he is still alive and looks like he will witness 2015.
With his wealth, he could afford the best medical care that explains why he beat the three-month deadline. But aware that he is no immortal, Simon made sure he would leave another legacy to the world beyond Bart Simpson's mischievous lifestyle.
He established the Sam Simon Foundation that rescues canines in distress and trains dogs to help disabled veterans and deaf people. He also donates to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Save the Children and Feeding Families.
YouTube/Shazzy Mazzy21
Unlike the founder of Alibaba who is still in search of the elusive thing called happiness, Simon had found it.
He told CBS, "Somehow I ended up surrounded by people that love me and take care of me and will do anything for me. It's a good feeling ... That's called happiness."