Fundraiser for Tom Gruber

Since 1991, Tom worked to build a community for people to share in their common passion.  Tom and Joe’s was not a big box store experience. When you went to his shop, you entered a small store and were welcomed as family, whether you were local law enforcement, an enthusiast, or a retail customer. Whether it was just to hang out and chat or to absorb all the knowledge being shared or to even ask a “silly” question, everybody always showed a sincere interest in what you were saying and treated you with respect. This is the culture that Tom created. Though he closed up shop this past August, the community and friendships he built over the past 28 years will endure for generations.

In October, Tom was injured and broke several ribs. While treating his injuries, his doctors discovered several carcinoid cancer tumors on his ribs, his spine, and his pelvis. It was this rare cancer that led to the weakening of Tom’s bones. Tom will be undergoing both radiation and a second run of a very new cancer therapy called peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), a molecular targeted therapy used to treat neuroendocrine tumors. These treatments will target the tumors and hopefully allow Tom to avoid the invasive surgeries that he had previously to remove tumors in his lungs and liver. These treatments are effective, but they will be expensive; the recovery will be difficult. To compound this, Tom will be unable to work while he is undergoing these therapies and he may not be to work again.

To help Tom and his family, we would like to ask for your help, whether it’s thoughts, prayers, cards, or donations. You all know Tom. To say he was more than reluctant to participate in this GoFundMe campaign would be an understatement. Tom’s whole family has been amazing through everything. Tom’s wife Jen has spent hours upon hours on the phone dealing with medical issues, bills, and all the headaches that come with fighting for her husband. His children, Josie and Jacob, have been there through thick and thin for their dad, but they need our help. His need is great, but what the Tom and Joe’s community can accomplish together will be amazing.

We are grateful to Tom and to his family for all they have done, and we are grateful to you.