Join the Black-and-Red family in raising money to help fund United fan Big Rob's cancer treatment by bidding on signed, authentic jerseys from Major League Soccer stars. All proceeds will go directly to Rob.
Robert "Big Rob" Gillespie has been battling cancer since 2012 when he was diagnosed with a very rare leukemia. This type of cancer is incurable but can be slowed by very aggressive and damaging chemo that has left Rob with permanent damage, leaving him unable to work. In 2018 he was forced to suspend his costly treatment in order to try to avoid losing his home and car.
Rob's illness has affected his three biggest passions—being a single dad to his 10-year-old son Marco, traveling, and his involvement with D.C. United. Within soccer circles Rob is known as "Big Rob", a beloved member of the Black-and-Red supporters community since he first started coming to games in 1996. As one of the elders of the Barra Brava, Rob's unmistakable presence on the sidelines of matches was one of the most enduring images of D.C.'s fanbase. Away from soccer, Rob has been deeply involved with countless charity fundraising events in conjunction with both D.C. United and United's supporters groups, including raising money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Help Rob keep his home and car and return to treatment by bidding on a signed jersey in his honor. Paul Arriola, Chris Durkin, Sebastian Giovinco, Clint Dempsey, David Villa, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Giovani dos Santos, and Bastian Schweinsteiger jerseys are up for auction until 8 PM ET on June 27. Fans can also text DCU to 52182 to bid.
View jerseys up for auction through the gallery below.
