The balloon drop at the Democratic National Convention this year was more than just a colorful celebration — it was a heartfelt tribute that went beyond politics.
As 100,000 red, white, and blue balloons filled the United Center in Chicago on Thursday night, a group of volunteer balloon artists had something much more personal in mind. They were honoring one of their own: Tommy DeLorenzo.
Tommy, a well-known Chicago balloon artist, has been battling Stage 4 diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma since 2022.
While the DNC was in full swing, Tommy was fighting for his life at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. But his balloon community wasn’t about to let him go through it alone.
Fifty-five balloon artists from across the U.S. — and even a few from Canada — came together in Chicago last week.
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They dropped everything in their own lives to create the stunning balloon display in Tommy’s honor. With just a few weeks’ notice, they rallied together, each artist determined to show their love and support for Tommy in a way only they could.
“Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for this community,” said Tommy, who started his balloon business, Balloons by Tommy, when he was just 14.
Now 38, he runs it with his husband, Scott. As Tommy undergoes a stem cell transplant, with his sister Debbie as his donor, the outpouring of support from the balloon community has meant the world to him.
Typically, one company handles the balloon drop at political conventions, with local students volunteering to help inflate the balloons.
But this year was different. Treb Heining, a well-known figure in the balloon world, decided to make this event about Tommy.
Treb has organized balloon drops at 14 conventions, but this one was special. He reached out to his fellow balloon artists, and before long, dozens had pledged to come help.
“It just came together,” said Treb, who has known Tommy since the early ’90s. “There was so much love, and I knew it would give Tommy and Scott the boost they needed.”
Patty Sorell, a balloon artist from Peabody, Massachusetts, made the trip to Chicago to lend a hand. She’s been in the balloon industry for over 35 years and is a breast cancer survivor herself.
“We’re more colleagues than competitors,” she said. “We all wanted to do something to help Tommy, to show him how much we love him.”
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For two days, the balloon professionals worked tirelessly, inflating thousands of biodegradable latex balloons and trading stories about Tommy.
They wore green ribbon stickers with “Tommy” written on them, a small but powerful gesture of their solidarity. Each volunteer inflated around 2,000 balloons, using a giant air compressor to speed things along.
Joette Giardina, a balloon coach from Lakeland, Florida, was another artist who made the trip to support her friend. “Tommy has inspired us all to continue to spread joy no matter the circumstances,” she said. Many of the volunteers even took the time to visit Tommy in the hospital.
“This experience solidifies what I already knew: I work in one of the best industries with some of the most intelligent and loving people anyone could find,” Tommy said, deeply moved by the outpouring of support.
“To all of those that put their lives on hold to support me and Scott, thank you. Thank you, thank you.”
Scott, Tommy’s husband, couldn’t be prouder. “When I say that he is one of the most loved people I know, it isn’t just for his balloons, but also for his magnetic spirit and joy of life,” he said.
The DeLorenzos watched the balloon drop together from Tommy’s hospital room. “It was incredible to see,” Tommy said. “I have always loved the magic of balloons.”
Source: The Washington Post