NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Saints fans gathered at Walk-On’s restaurant to meet national sports podcaster Tom Grossi, the 2023 NFL Fan of the Year, and support his fundraiser for children fighting cancer.
New Orleans is the latest stop on Grossi’s cross-country fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He is visiting 30 NFL cities in 30 days.
Grossi, a former schoolteacher known for his NFL-themed social media videos, has a large fan base.
“We’ve been following Tom Grossi for a little while so it’s really excited to come out and meet and greet and to be able to meet him and talk to him too,” said Melissa McDonald, a Saints fan.
For fans like Charity Roberts and her son, Jonathan, the cause is personal. Her daughter received treatment at St. Jude more than two decades ago and is now married. Her son-in-law is also a childhood cancer survivor who received treatment at St. Jude.
Roberts said fundraisers help cover medical and housing expenses for St. Jude families.
“Knowing that we didn’t have to figure out where we’re gonna live, work or buy groceries, all that was taken care of, so we got to stay at family unit during her treatment and really encourage and support her and that was huge,” Roberts said.
This is Grossi’s second cross-country campaign benefiting St. Jude. He calls this year’s effort “30 in 30 Part Deux.”
“I was a school teacher. I’ve had students who’ve been ill, who’ve had cancer before, but it’s also just comes down to the kids and a kid with cancer. It’s catastrophic for them. It’s catastrophic for the families,” Grossi said.
He said he was motivated to help after meeting with St. Jude patients and employees at the hospital.
“On top of that they share their research freely with the entire world so we can also reduce cancer rates for folks not in the United States,” Grossi said.
Grossi said he pays his own travel expenses. He said his events have raised more than $3.5 million for various charities during the past five years. His goal this year is to raise $1 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Fans said they support Grossi’s mission.
“It’s about having fun, but it’s also to help people who really do need a lot in terms of money,” said Jonathan Cueva, a Saints fan.
“Those kids are always in need and it’s nice to be able to show up for people who really do need you to show up for them,” said Nicolas Lewis, a Saints fan.
Donations can be made at stjude.org/30in30partdeux.
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