Marc Gasol, a friend whose heart is even bigger than his hand

To be a Memphis Grizzly, you have to have a big heart. And Marc Gasol is a shining example of that truth.

This is a guest column for “Marc Gasol Appreciation Week” on SubTsakalidis. The author of this column is Allie Allen Fleming — my wife, and the inspiration behind this website. Allie offers wonderful perspective on the person Marc Gasol, who (along with the rest of the Core 4) she built a special bond with throughout her battle with cancer.

I have always said to be a member of the Memphis Grizzlies team, you have a big heart — because that’s all I have ever seen from our players.

Marc Gasol was a player that always showed for this to be true.

I met Marc, along with the rest of the “Core Four” players, (Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, Tony Allen and Marc) in 2015 when I was battling brain cancer for the second time at age 16.

I lived downtown Memphis while receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I have always been a Memphis Grizzlies fan, but when I was going through the hardest time in my life, watching the Grizzlies play in the FedExForum was my happy place. I attended all of the pre-season, regular season and playoff games that I was physically able to.

It was my very last day of treatment after enduring 66 rounds of Brain and Spine radiation. It was a day where celebration sounded fun, but a nap sounded even better. I was walking out of the hospital with my baggy sweatpants, no makeup no hair and my pitiful backpack with my TPN bag inside of it — Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is when the IV-administered nutrition is the only source of nutrition the patient is receiving.

Approaching the doors of the hospital were Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Justin Timberlake. I greeted them to the hospital (trying my best not to fangirl). We immediately made a connection and chatted for a long time before remembering they were here to tour the hospital.

That night my parents got a call from the Memphis Grizzlies who told them Marc Gasol reserved a suite for me, my family and 16 of my friends for the game the next day. This was from the kindness of his own heart. From that day forward, I have only received the most love and support from Marc and the team.

Marc Gasol is a big man with big love, and Memphis is always a better place with him in it.

If you choose to support my Substack, SubTsakalidis — aka “SubTsak” — follow this link to my Allie’s Allies St. Jude fundraiser page. If you choose to subscribe, all proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.