MADRID (Spain) - Numerous basketball stars past and present are helping raise money for the Spanish Red Cross as it combats COVID-19 in the country.

Two current players, Spain men's national team forward Javier Beiran and women's national team guard Marta Xargay, have made a big-hearted gesture by contributing to the Red Cross initiative "This Medal is Yours".

Each has donated medals, received last summer after winning titles for Spain, so they can be auctioned off to raise funds for the Red Cross.

Beiran was in the Spain team that captured the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China while Xargay won the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 in Serbia.

The son of Spain's 1984 Olympic basketball silver medalist Jose Manuel Beiran, Javier Beiran has seen the heart-wrenching images on television and the internet of his home city, Madrid, which has been at the center of the pandemic in the country. 

More than 15,000 people in Spain have died and more than 150,000 people infected by COVID-19.

"You're seeing people, all the medical workers, giving everything to keep us safe, so that is why we have to do something," Beiran said to fiba.basketball. "And being sportsmen that are a little famous, the only thing we can do is help them on social media, donate to charities like the Red Cross, or doing whatever to help all the disadvantaged."

"This Medal is Yours" is a part of the #NuestraMejorVictoria (Our Best Victory) campaign that was launched in late March by Pau Gasol, Spain's FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 MVP, and Spanish tennis champion Rafa Nadal. Its aim is to raise €11 million and to help residents in need during the health emergency.

Another initiative that #NuestraMejorVictoria spawned is #LaMejorAsistencia (The Best Assist) and that, too, has seen a lot of items donated to be auctioned.

Beiran's teammates from last summer's triumph have been generous. Spain guard Sergio Llull has donated the shirt he wore in last year's World Cup Final triumph over Argentina while Victor Claver has donated a ball that all the players signed after the country's first FIBA EuroBasket triumph in 2009 in Poland. Xavi Rabaseda has presented his commemorative basketball shoes from China 2019.

Alba Torrens has given the Spain jersey she donned in the Final of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2017 in Prague, when the national team won the title and she was named tournament MVP. Spain's captain of the 2006 world title team, Carlos Jimenez, has given the jersey he wore in the Final of FIBA EuroBasket 2003 to be auctioned.

Numerous other basketball personalities in Spain have donated items to the auction, as have stars from other sports. The auction is taking place online at from April 6 to 17, 2020.

Once the bids have ended, the funds raised will be donated in full to the Red Cross. In addition to the auction, the option to make direct donations will be enabled.

Beiran is just glad to help.

Coming off the exhilarating summer with Spain, he is now like other basketball players, looking to support his countrymen the way they have always supported him when he has worn the Spain jersey.

Beiran received two medals after winning the World Cup. One was presented when he stepped onto the podium in China and another one, the one up for auction, was given by the Spanish Basketball Federation to all players who played a part in qualifying the eventual champions to the China via the European Qualifiers. 

"I hope the price increases a lot to help those that need it," he said.

FIBA