INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Before the Indiana Pacers hit the road for a five-game road trip, Glenn Robinson III had a very inspiring visit to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.
What does perseverance look like?
Is it playing for four NBA franchises in three seasons to become a catalyst for the Indiana Pacers? Or is it more?
Robinson has had to fight his way into the NBA. But on the recent visit to Riley, he came face-to-face with a determination unlike anything he's seen before when he sat down with our special correspondent Gradyn Rogers.
"I have a few questions for you," Gradyn said.
Like Robinson, Gradyn is an athlete. He plays football and runs track for Kokomo High School, but all of that was put on hold after a visit to the hospital.
"It was August 18 when I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) leukemia. This is my second diagnosis of this cancer. I was first diagnosed at age 3," Gradyn said.
Gradyn's family would be dealt another blow just a week later when tornadoes hit their hometown.
"My brother started to FaceTime us and he showed out the window. You couldn't really see, it was a bad connection. Then it started hitting. All we heard was my brother screaming and stuff in the background," Gradyn said. "Then the connection lost and we didn't know what happened until after his phone recharged, so we kind of lost everything."
"The next day after the tornadoes, I volunteered to go do some work and help out in the neighborhoods and in the communities," Robinson said. "It's definitely crazy to hear your story and know how hard you are working to fight and your belief in God is the same as me, so I hope I give you a little inspiration just like you did for me today."
"Thank you," Gradyn replied.
A mutual admiration between two people who understand how to fight for the things that matter most.
Gradyn's family could use financial help. The Bindy Agency in Indianapolis has opened a GoFundMe account to assist the family not only recover from the tornado, but to deal with two years of expenses related to their son's cancer treatment.
Meanwhile, Gradyn is giving back, as well. In an effort to help the blood bank that provides him with blood, platelets and plasma during his chemotherapy, a blood drive has been planned for December 29 from 12-6 p.m. The drive will be held at the Chapel Hill Christian Church at 2600 W. Alto Road in Kokomo.
You can make an appointment for the blood drive at RedCrossBlood.org (the sponsor code is "chaphill") or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
