5 Reasons Why I Love Lance Gross Heather Hopson November 26, 2012 Uncategorized 15 Comments (Photos Courtesy St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital) Dear Diary, Recently, I attended St. Jude’s Radio Cares Seminar—an event that brings together radio professionals from more than 30 markets representing formats from urban gospel to classic rock. The on-air personalities visit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and witness the impact they’re having on the lives of patients when they raise money and raise awareness with radiothons. This year, the hospital extended an invitation to Black and Married With Kids, and I was asked to cover the event. A couple of weeks after accepting the assignment, I flew to Tennessee to tour the hospital, which provides FREE medical services to the world’s sickest kids. It also leads the way in research for sickle cell anemia—a blood disease that strikes one in every 400 African-American infants. That’s one reason why more Black celebrities are being urged to support St. Jude’s. Leading the way in recruiting spokespersons is Memphis native and amazing actress Elise Neal. She attended this weekend’s seminar and convinced fellow thespian Lance Gross to fly in as well, which brings me back to the title of this article and why I love Lance. #5 He isn’t Arrogant In fact, he comes across as somewhat shy. He didn’t act irritated when I asked him to go outside for a photo op, since the indoor light wasn’t the most flattering. Lance answered every interview question with enthusiasm and put the kids, not his agenda, first. #4 He’s incognito. He wore a sweater and a baseball cap, covering his handsome head and keeping everyone’s attention on the charity. When he was recognized during the opening statements at a luncheon, he flashed a nervous smile and seemed a bit uncomfortable receiving recognition. #3 We had a moment. Lance is locking eyes with me in this picture. Ok, it may be in my head, since there were several other people beyond the camera’s frame. #2 Lance loves the kids. Before visiting the hospital he hosted a patient at Tyler Perry’s studio and introduced her to the entire cast of the hit television show House of Pain. He told me, “Every kid is smiling. Every child is in a good mood, despite being sick. They are hopeful. That humbles you.” #1 And the number one reason I fell in love with Lance Gross… He’s a St. Jude’s supporter. He took time out of his hectic schedule to visit the children’s research hospital and show his support. When he toured the facility and played with the patients, he didn’t invite the media along. We actually met him on his way to catch his flight home. He talked about the mother he met with three children with cancer. He told us he was surprised to hear that St. Jude’s took the weight of the medical bills off the family’s shoulders. The hospital pays for everything, including shelter at the Target House, where Lance and I met. Before lance left, he told me, “I didn’t know St. Jude’s took care of so much. I have to get the word out to my celebrity friends. If they came here, they would become supporters.” You don’t have to be in Lance’s celebrity circle or even in love with him to help out. You can become a partner in hope donating just $19 a month. 15 Responses Jordan December 3, 2012 WELP! guess this makes it official Lance Gross is just that dude! Reply Notorious Spinks December 3, 2012 I’m a Memphian and I love St. Jude. Their work is so impressive and no one gets turned away. It’s one of the reasons I Memphis. Also, I didn’t know about this…I’ll have to reach out and get on their media list. Glad you got an opportunity to experience Memphis and one of our many gems. Reply cocoamommy December 3, 2012 Wow, I’m impressed that outside of the celebrity persona he’s REAL, compassionate and caring. I’m a new fan. St. Jude’s is definitely a great cause and this was a terrific and informative post, I had no idea how involved they were with sickle cell anemia. Reply Amiyrah December 3, 2012 I’ve always been a fan of St. Jude and I love that celebrities like Lance are paying attention to what they are able to do for sick children. I also love how humble he was! Hopefully he can get more of his celebrity friends to help. Reply T. Espi December 3, 2012 You had me at Lance Gross LOL. I loved him for *ahem* other reasons before I read this, but this only makes me love him more. Compassion and caring is sexy! Reply Uneeka Jay December 3, 2012 How cool is it that he is so humble? I love when the opportunity comes to meet someone who is famous and they are nice. Reply Janeane Davis December 3, 2012 It is nice when someone uses their superstar power to help those in need! Reply MELISASource December 4, 2012 Lance Gross is awesome!! I love that he is giving is celebrity to help St. Jude–that definitely makes him the Man! Reply Aja December 4, 2012 The only reason I need is 1) Lance Gross. But I’ll take the other five as a bonus 🙂 Great post! Reply DjRelat7 December 4, 2012 Reading pieces like this warms my heart and makes me believe one day stories like this is all we’ll hear about on the news! St. Jude is a great charity to be involved in! Reply Monique Burkes (@armsofasister) December 5, 2012 I don’t know much about the man besides his sexiness but if he’s supporting good charities, he’s cool in my book! Reply Caroll December 5, 2012 Heather, this is a great story. Love the added info about Lance Gross and love the info on the charity and St. Jude. Feell good story all around. Reply Nae December 5, 2012 Love when a man’s character is just as attractive (if not more) than his physical characteristics 😉 Reply Christine December 6, 2012 I really love to hear stories like this. I really admire what St.Jude does and this definitely makes me want to become a financial supporter of them. Thanks for sharing Lance…ahem…I mean, the story of St.Jude with us 😉 Reply Chasing Joy December 8, 2012 It’s good when the inside matches the outside. Attractive man and attractive personality. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email.Δ
Notorious Spinks December 3, 2012 I’m a Memphian and I love St. Jude. Their work is so impressive and no one gets turned away. It’s one of the reasons I Memphis. Also, I didn’t know about this…I’ll have to reach out and get on their media list. Glad you got an opportunity to experience Memphis and one of our many gems. Reply
cocoamommy December 3, 2012 Wow, I’m impressed that outside of the celebrity persona he’s REAL, compassionate and caring. I’m a new fan. St. Jude’s is definitely a great cause and this was a terrific and informative post, I had no idea how involved they were with sickle cell anemia. Reply
Amiyrah December 3, 2012 I’ve always been a fan of St. Jude and I love that celebrities like Lance are paying attention to what they are able to do for sick children. I also love how humble he was! Hopefully he can get more of his celebrity friends to help. Reply
T. Espi December 3, 2012 You had me at Lance Gross LOL. I loved him for *ahem* other reasons before I read this, but this only makes me love him more. Compassion and caring is sexy! Reply
Uneeka Jay December 3, 2012 How cool is it that he is so humble? I love when the opportunity comes to meet someone who is famous and they are nice. Reply
Janeane Davis December 3, 2012 It is nice when someone uses their superstar power to help those in need! Reply
MELISASource December 4, 2012 Lance Gross is awesome!! I love that he is giving is celebrity to help St. Jude–that definitely makes him the Man! Reply
Aja December 4, 2012 The only reason I need is 1) Lance Gross. But I’ll take the other five as a bonus 🙂 Great post! Reply
DjRelat7 December 4, 2012 Reading pieces like this warms my heart and makes me believe one day stories like this is all we’ll hear about on the news! St. Jude is a great charity to be involved in! Reply
Monique Burkes (@armsofasister) December 5, 2012 I don’t know much about the man besides his sexiness but if he’s supporting good charities, he’s cool in my book! Reply
Caroll December 5, 2012 Heather, this is a great story. Love the added info about Lance Gross and love the info on the charity and St. Jude. Feell good story all around. Reply
Nae December 5, 2012 Love when a man’s character is just as attractive (if not more) than his physical characteristics 😉 Reply
Christine December 6, 2012 I really love to hear stories like this. I really admire what St.Jude does and this definitely makes me want to become a financial supporter of them. Thanks for sharing Lance…ahem…I mean, the story of St.Jude with us 😉 Reply
Chasing Joy December 8, 2012 It’s good when the inside matches the outside. Attractive man and attractive personality. Reply