Hi everyone,

We’re reaching out with a heartfelt request to support Tommie during one of the toughest chapters of his life. Recently, he’s been facing a serious medical crisis far from home, and we need your help to cover his medical expenses, travel costs, hotel stays, food, and the specialized medical escort required to bring him safely back to the U.S. Every little bit will help ensure he gets the care he needs.

On September 12th, while on a two-week trip in Japan with some of his lifelong friends, Tommie suddenly became very sick. What started as stomach pain and vomiting quickly escalated, and he was admitted to the hospital. The next day, September 13th, he was placed in the ICU, intubated, and put into a medically induced coma. He has been fighting severe acute pancreatitis, which caused kidney failure and left him relying on machines to breathe.

Right now, his kidneys have stabilized, but his lungs remain weak after being on the ventilator for so long. Once he can breathe on his own, doctors say we’ll only have a very small window just 24 to 48 hours to get him back to the United States before complications could force him to remain here even longer. The hospital has been very clear: he cannot travel home without a medical escort or specialized medical flight.

Here’s the reality:

Hospital bills are already climbing past $75,000 and increasing daily.

A medical escort or air ambulance will likely cost upwards of $100,000.

Insurance has been extremely difficult to work with and has not committed to covering these immediate costs.

I am in Japan now, navigating this alongside the doctors, hospital staff, insurance calls, and embassy contacts. It’s overwhelming emotionally, financially, and logistically.

For those who don’t know Tommie personally, he is truly one of a kind. He has a heart of gold, a fantastic sense of humor, and is always the life of the party. His nieces and nephews absolutely adore him because he’s the uncle who can turn any dull moment into laughter. He’s the friend who always shows up, the one who brings joy into every room, and the person who never loses his spark despite life’s challenges.

We’ve created this GoFundMe to help cover:

Why we need your help:

We know Tommie would do anything for the people he cares about, and right now, we want to rally around him. The costs are adding up quickly between medical care abroad, safe transport back home, and basic needs like food and lodging. With your support, we can make sure he isn’t facing this burden alone. Every single dollar will go directly toward getting Tommie home safely and starting his recovery where he belongs —with his family and friends who love him.

I know times are tough for everyone, but if you can give anything at all, it will make a huge difference. And if you can’t give financially, please share this fundraiser and keep Tommie in your prayers. We need strength, hope, and community now more than ever.

Thank you for any contribution, big or small. Let’s get Tommie home and smiling again