Help Bring Bobby Shaw Home: A Dream Vacation Turned into a Family’s Worst Nightmare

At just 22 years old, Bobby is fighting for his life in a hospital thousands of miles from home.

Our mission: bring Bobby home

Bobby with his dad, Aaron, his Grandma Anna, and Uncle Ryan took a once in a lifetime family vacation to Italy. They dreamed of exploring a beautiful country, spending quality time together, and creating memories they would cherish forever.

But what began as an unforgettable family adventure suddenly turned into a family’s worst nightmare.

On September 14, 2026, just three days before they were scheduled to return home to Indiana, Bobby went into what is called an adrenal crisis. He suffered cardiac arrest which caused an anoxic brain injury and he has remained in the ICU since that day. He is in what the doctors call an “unresponsive wakefulness state”. As you can imagine, having a loved one in the ICU is very heavy but added to that stress is that a loved one is in the ICU nearly 5,000 miles away has been challenging to say the least.

Since that heartbreaking day, Aaron has stayed in Italy, supporting his son through every difficult moment while holding on to hope for his recovery.

Back home in Indiana, the rest of Bobby’s family is anxiously awaiting his return to the states. All together, we share the same overwhelming love, concern, and determination to bring Bobby home, where he can be surrounded by the family and friends who love him.

Bobby’s Lifelong Medical Journey

At just 10 years old, Bobby was diagnosed with a genetic condition, a Dax 1 mutation called Adrenal Hypoplasia Congenita. This rare condition causes the outer layer of the adrenal glands the inability to develop properly. This leads to the body not receiving essential life-saving hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone.

Who is Bobby Shaw?

Family members would describe Bobby as kind, silly, funny, and loveable. As a kid, Bobby always loved putting on a show. He enjoyed sports and spending time with his family and friends. He has always been eager to help others in need. His generosity and fun-filled spirit has blossomed through to his adulthood. In his high school years, Bobby was very involved. He attended Decatur Central High School where he was in show choir, theatre, on the swim team, involved with Demolay, and volunteered at Gleaner’s Food Bank.

Bobby is a Past Master Councilor of West Newton Chapter Order of DeMolay in West Newton, Indiana. He remained an active member all through his High School career. He recently returned and committed to help out the chapter as an adult leader just prior to his Italy trip.

Our Goal

Our hopes are to raise money to transport Bobby safely from Rome, Italy to the states where he can receive continued medical care closer to his loved ones.

Because of Bobby’s medical condition, bringing him home requires much more than purchasing an airline ticket.

The proposed transportation plan involves a specially arranged flight, equipped to accommodate Bobby’s medical needs, along with trained healthcare professionals to monitor and care for him throughout the journey.

Donations will help cover:

• Specialized air transportation

• Essential medical equipment

• Professional medical care

Every step of this journey requires careful planning, specialized medical support, and significant financial resources.

How You Can Help

We are reaching out to family, friends, coworkers, our community, and anyone whose heart is touched by Bobby’s story.

Your generosity will help ease the tremendous financial burden of his medical transportation and allow his family to focus on what matters most: BOBBY.

Bobby has spent his young life exploring the world, pursuing his passions, and bringing joy to others. Now, he needs the kindness and generosity of others to help him make his most important journey yet — the journey home.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, coworkers, and community. Every share helps Bobby’s story reach someone who may be able to help.

Full transparency, both families who love and adore Bobby are working on raising funds to bring Bobby home.

Sincerely, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, prayers, and support.

Together, we can help

BRING BOBBY HOME