T Bird, Teresa Cooper - May 20, 2002

Here are some of the highlights from the Interview.

Tommy: How’s life been since the show?

Teresa Cooper: Tommy things have been very exciting, done a lot of traveling and a lot of exciting things that I wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t been on Survivor Africa. So it’s been great!

Tommy: You’ve also been working a lot with charities right?

Teresa Cooper: Yes.

Tommy: And tell us what you’ve been doing with those?

Teresa Cooper: Well, I’ve done some work with the American Cancer Society and one of my favorites and one that’s probably closest to my heart is the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation. My brother Steve died of AIDS about twelve years ago so, it’s funny once I was a player on Survivor Africa I was wondering once it was all said and done, what I could do to help give back and fortunately Mark Burnett introduced the growing epidemic in Africa of the AIDS epidemic. And, once again with my brother passing away, it’s given me a stepping stone or a spring board to actually give back to that charity and to the AIDS growing problem not just over in Africa but also here in the states. So, I’ve been doing a whole lot of work with that charity.

Tommy: So some of what you participated with on the show, inspired you to do what you’re doing now.

Teresa Cooper: Yeah, well you know what this would’ve been my charity of choice anyway like I said because of my personal tragedy with my brother, Steve, but because Mark actually brought it into the show it made it just a perfect thing for me to even go further into and to work with. So it’s been great.

Tommy: And you’re also able to use the platform you have since you were kinda like a celebrity on Survivor to go out and speak and help generate interest in the cause.

Teresa Cooper: Yeah, and Tommy ya know too that’s very true and course it effects so many people but, since I was effected by it personally, and it was brought into the show it’s been kind of a catch both ways.  So it’s been a good thing.