San Francisco: A Catholic father of seven from Virginia, whose cause for sainthood is now under consideration, will be posthumously honoured with the St. Gianna Molla Award for Pro-Life Heroism, recognizing a life marked by faith, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the dignity of human life. Tom Vander Woude will receive the award at the West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco on January 24, 2026.

Vander Woude’s final act of love left a profound impact on the pro-life community. When his 19-year-old son Joseph, who had Down syndrome, accidentally fell into a toxic sewage tank, Tom immediately jumped in after him. Despite the deadly fumes, he managed to push his son to safety, sacrificing his own life in the process. His selfless act has since become a powerful symbol of parental

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