Knicks Superfan Goes to Every Game to Honor His Little Sister's Memory

Localish logo
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Knicks Superfan Goes to Every Game For Heartwrenching Reason
There are Knicks fans, and then there's Anthony Donahue. He's been to every home game for more than 20 years-but it's not just his love of the game that keeps him going.Anthony Donahue is a certified Knicks superfan. But it's the memory of his sister, Gianna, that inspires his love of the game.

NEW YORK -- There are New York Knicks fans, and then there's Anthony Donahue. He's been to every home game for more than 20 years but it's not just his love of the game that keeps him going.

"When I had met her, I had never even touched a baby, to be honest. And I fell in love with her." When Anthony's little sister Gianna was born, a special bond formed between them that he would cherish for years to come.

But while the two were inseparable, in 2010, Anthony's family received news that changed everything. At just 10 years old, Gianna was diagnosed with brain cancer. That's when the Knicks community rallied around them and the hashtag #WinForGianna was born.

When Gianna sadly lost her battle to cancer in 2019, the Knicks community supported Anthony and his family in some of their darkest times and continues to do so to this day.

As the Knicks enjoy one of their best seasons to date, Anthony doesn't think it's just a coincidence. "There's only one thing that she knew could make me smile, and that's the Knicks in the playoffs and here we are."

Watch more Localish now streaming on Hulu!

RELATED CONTENT

Legendary New Yorker 'New York Nico' Saves NYC

Small businesses have been struggling across the country. But "New York Nico" is on a mission to save at least a few of them in his home city.