LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Christmas is fast approaching and Santa Claus is making appearances throughout Kentucky. David Grady is spreading Christmas cheer as a volunteer dedicated to making Christmas magical for everyone.

What You Need To Know

  • David Grady loves to volunteer. He spends his day around Christmas time visiting people in need as Santa Claus 

  • Santa dropped down from the north pole to check on patients battling cancer and their care team at Norton’s Hospital

  • Grady is a cancer survivor and spends his free time giving back to his physicans and fellow patients

  • After he grew a snow-white beard, he knew it was time to spread Christmas cheer 

He’s making his list and checking it twice. He’s making some special visits to those who need it most. Santa dropped down from the North Pole to check on patients battling cancer and their care team at Norton’s Hospital, but just a short time ago, this volunteer was living a very different life.

“When you get a word that you have cancer, there’s different levels of that. And for me, it was life changing,” said Grady. 

In 2020, Grady was diagnosed with cancer. After radiation and oral chemotherapy treatments, he’s been cancer free.

And after growing a snow-white beard, it was clear it was time to spread Christmas cheer.

“I want to come here because I sat in the gown while physicians and technicians, all these competent people, gave me individual attention. So, that inspired me to come back and give them individual attention,” Said Grady. 

Now, he dedicates his time to his physicians and fellow patients. He reminds everyone just who really saved Christmas for him.

“And I want you to know that when they saved me, they really saved Christmas,” said Grady. 

Santa and Grady plan to continue the holiday magic for years to come.

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