Tony's Brain Tumor Hate Club Fund

Welcome. Here is a little note of introduction from Amy, Tony's wife. Thanks so much for caring enough to read this:


CANCER SUCKS. The sticker on the desk here says that. It's under stickers for performance auto parts, 3D printer parts, and car schematics. It's next to stuff for my gaming, my nonprofit, and my wine glass, which I had to make room for by moving a sewing kit used to adjust Adalina's Halloween costume. This desk is a snapshot of our life right now. 

Tony's tumor is (almost certainly) not cancer. But it was (almost certainly) caused by cancer treatment. To save his life as an infant, he had radiation beams shot through his eyes and skull to kill retinal cancer. Radiation treatment saved his life, but left him with this little surprise 30 years later.  

As we tackle this thing, we are realizing that one of the hardest parts about dealing with illness is letting go of dreams.  By the spring of 2019, we had planned to finally pay of Amy's student loans. We had plans to build a garage, a long-desired space where Tony could fully dive into his gear-head hobbies, maybe start freelance work from a home, and finally get paid back for his years of supporting Amy's career and dreams. 2019 was going to be the year that he returned to auto racing with a vengeance.  


We are mourning those dreams, even as we look forward to Tony being rid of this tumor. And it's a large tumor. Surgery is planned on January 4th and will be extensive, including a piece of skull removed about the size of a softball. He will require a month in acute and rehab hospitals. We are hoping he can return to work after a couple of months. Even more important, we dream that he'll be rid of the constant headaches and be able to enjoy life again.

Sadly, the surgeon doesn't expect to be able to get the whole tumor out in one shot. After surgery, he may need radiation or a follow up surgery at a later date. Even then, this type of tumor is often recurrent and will require ongoing monitoring. This is a long road. 

All that said, we have guiding faith and an incredible, deep, profoundly loving, and unbelievably strong support system. To all those who just couldn't wait and have already offered their kind words and help, we thank you and we love you. Your hearts are so beautiful. 


With humility, we ask for whatever financial help you feel able to offer as we stare down this storm. The goal will cover our 2019 insurance deductible and some of Tony's missed work in the coming months. Just as important, we ask for your prayers, your thoughts, your kindness, and your light. We ask that you keep fighting for causes we champion as we step to the sidelines for a while. We ask that you take steps to reach your own dreams, recognizing that life is short. We ask that you value your loved ones and your health, and that you hug our children when you see them.

We would love to ask for help potty training Micah, but I think that's one fight we're going to have to face alone. 

Thank you, with all our hearts, deep down in our souls, and in ways we can't express. Thank you. 


P.S. If you wish to pray for Tony and our family, please join me in praying Daniel 3:17-18. To paraphrase, "God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us. But even if he doesn’t, we will never turn our back on him." God bless.