I'm Tom Luciani, and I'm raising money to help my oldest son, Alec complete his college education after 10+ years of numerous life-endangering medical issues that have forced him to miss his last few college semesters that have continually delayed his graduation. Alec has been in and (mainly) out of college while being hospitalized for over 250 days since 2015 + 100 more in 2025 with several serious illnesses and injuries: testicular cancer that spread to his lungs (fortunately, he's now cancer-free), sepsis, liver disease (still impacting him), kidney disease, pneumonia (that included 12 days in an induced coma), and several other related serious ailments.

Add to that another 200+ days of post-acute care, numerous chemotherapy sessions, months of home recuperation, outpatient hospital visits for Dr.'s appointments, tests, diagnosis, blood work, and various other needed treatments.

He's also had to return to the hospital periodically for transfusions to increase his low red and white blood cell counts to combat liver damage made worse by his reliance on alcohol off and on during the last five years. Alec used alcohol as an escape from the debilitating illnesses, the pain, and to fight off depression, as he felt his planned life slipping away. He lived in a sober living community for several months, has been attending an online AA group five to six nights per week for the last eight months, and has been sober throughout.

During this time, many of his attempts to complete the necessary classes and semesters needed to get his BS in environmental science at Sacramento State were unfortunately foiled, as too often he could not complete the semester requirements before having to return to the hospital to deal with yet another illness.

After eventually recuperating from the earlier ailments, and while trying to complete what he thought would be his final semester (fall semester of 24), his horrible luck continued. This time it was a serious injury. He fell off a horse, breaking both wrists and his right leg in November of 2024. Given that it was a complex break his operating doctor inserted a metal plate to help his leg heal correctly. Unfortunately, after several months of increasing pain and immobility, he had to return to the hospital for tests that revealed that the metal plate had caused a serious infection, necessitating a second surgery in October of 25 to remove the plate. I've enclosed a picture showing the snake-like incision made during the second operation. That successful operation has paid off, as he now has almost no pain, exercises daily based on his post-acute care facility's physical therapy routines for his knee, and rebuilding his leg muscles. He has been walking with a cane although at times he's had to use a wheel chair, but he told me that he recently walked around school without his cane.

Before the infection was discovered, (forcing him to leave school once again), and thinking that he was healing and mobile enough to attend classes in a wheel chair, he had re-registered to complete his fall 25 semester. The plan was that after graduating with a degree in environmental science, he'd be able to find a job (most likely in Cal. state government) in the spring of this year. This would have made it possible for him to start paying for himself, and to eventually start paying me back for my years of support (which I will need to have even a minimally decent retirement). Unfortunately, the leg infection and second operation have pushed his plans back to this year when he'll hopefully, be able to finish school and get a job later this year.

He remains positive, is in good spirits, and has been sober for months. He left his post-acute care facility a few months ago, has resumed his life in Sacramento in a new apartment, and is back to Sac. State for his final spring and summer semesters that he needs to graduate. He's also getting his support dog, Ancho, back soon which will add greatly to his well being.

I've been Alec's primary financial support since high school, except during the three years he dropped out of college to work. My ex-wife, and Alec's Mom, Martha, a preschool teacher with limited resources has also helped support him as much as possible.

Prior to 2015, and after a year of college in Spain, and a year at the U of British Columbia he spent 3 years in California Jr. Colleges taking prerequisite science classes he needed to change to a science major.

I've taken on his college loans, continued paying off my parent loan, have covered his weekly therapy, a portion of his medical costs, (thankfully, Medi-Cal has paid for the bulk of it), and most of the last ten years of his living expenses, including many of his college costs.

I would have been able to continue his financial support, were it not for an ever weakening local economy, heavy layoffs, and little hiring meaning minimal or no fees after a successful 47 year year career in Bay Area financial recruiting.

I wish that I didn't need to send you this embarrassing GoFundMe request for donations. At this point I'm unable to continue supporting Alec financially as my savings are nearly gone, much of it for Alec's support, as well as for my own expenses for the last three years given my business's decline.

The SF Bay Area job market has continued to worsen, and I've found that ageism ( I'm nearly 82) is real. In addition, I endured a failed start-up during the pandemic, made a few bad investments, and had to endure my own debilitating medical issue (severe neuropathy) that has eliminated the long walks I've needed spiritually. Having had a relatively successful career, I had hoped that my savings would last through Alec's graduation, his successful job search, and my remaining retirement years. However, it's very true that life always presents us with the unexpected as yet another difficult lesson.

With the $16,000 + I've raised from 75 donors I've bought Alec a used Subaru, paid for 3 months of car insurance, and paid rent for three months + a security deposit for his new apartment near Sac. State. In addition, I've been paying, and will need to continue paying his college loans, personal loans, and his credit cards. I'm hoping to raise at least $20,000 more to cover his monthly debt, a portion of his on-going medical expenses, his therapist, as well as his living expenses for 6 months +/- at $2,500/mo. +/-.

This money should get him through graduation after the summer semester, and into a reasonable job in what will likely be a very difficult employment market.

Alec is a loving, bright, talented, outgoing, and well-liked young man who's determined to have a fulfilling career in ecology and/or environmental science. Like any parent, I'm trying to ensure that my son has a fair shot at a good life. Alec and I appreciate your donation of any size, and we hope that you'll share this GoFundMe with your friends, family, and on social media.

if you have problems with the GoFundMe payment options you can send me a check at 4848 Hoen Ave., Santa Rosa Ca. 95405, and feel free to call me with questions or to catch up.

Thank you very much for your consideration. Alec and I appreciate whatever financial support you're able to provide, Best to you and yours, Tom Luciani