Michael Jordan is donating $10 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In honor of his 60th birthday later this week, basketball legend Michael Jordan will give the Make-A-Wish foundation a record-breaking $10 million donation, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

The greatest donation in the 43-year history of the Arizona-based nonprofit Make-A-Wish, which attempts to grant the wishes of children between the ages of two and 18 fighting serious illnesses, was made by Jordan.

The six-time NBA champion has a lengthy history with the charity, having started out as a volunteer in 1989.

According to a statement from Make-a-Wish, the 59-year-old billionaire hoped that his act would motivate others to make donations to the charity.

In a news release, Jordan said, "For the past 34 years, it's been an honor to partner with Make-A-Wish and help bring a smile and pleasure to so many youngsters.

"Watching their tenacity and fortitude through such a trying time in their lives has been incredibly inspirational.

"Seeing others join me in supporting Make-A-Wish so that every kid can feel the magic of having their wish come true" is the best birthday present I can imagine.

Make-A-Wish said that since 1989, Jordan has granted "hundreds" of wishes to kids all throughout the world.

His multimillion-dollar gift will be used to establish an endowment that will support future wish-granting for children and teenagers with life-threatening illnesses.

According to Make-A-Wish America CEO Leslie Motter, "everyone knows about Michael's history on the basketball court, but it's what he has constantly done off the court when no one is watching that makes him a true legend for wish families and the larger Make-A-Wish community."

With six NBA Finals MVP honors and championship rings, Jordan is regarded by many as the greatest basketball player in history.

In addition, from 1984 to 2003, he was an All-Star 14 times and received five MVP trophies for the season.

AFP