Hi Team TMW,

I need your help please!

I call a lot of people brother (including strangers), but this request is for one of my “brothers from another mother” and one of my fav peeps!

Im reaching out on behalf of Eric J Kirby (Kirb), a US Navy & Army National Guard Veteran, a World renowned bar tender, my former roommate for over a decade and an all around good dude.

I’m trying to fundraise for his medical costs and overall living expenses.

His story:

A few years ago his dad suffered a stroke so Eric immediately dropped everything and moved from Los Angeles back to his hometown area to care for his father full time while also working a couple of part time jobs (bar tender at the American Legion and food sales w/ a catering company) to help pay the bills.

Well, a few weeks ago Eric started to experience his own health issues. He was experiencing shortness of breath on his short walk from his apartment to one of his jobs. Thankfully he listened to his body and went to go see a Dr right away!

They ran some tests at the local hospital but then rushed him to the larger and better equipped hospital in San Diego on September 25th. There, after further testing they unfortunately diagnosed him with diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The “good” news is that they caught it relatively early and they ran many tests to see if it had spread anywhere and it looks like it’s contained. The big test we were waiting on was when they scanned his brain and Eric proudly proclaimed “they didn’t find anything” and I told him, “yeah, I coulda told you that and I’m not even a Dr!” Haha

Anyway, they told him that with about 6 months of chemotherapy he should have a 70-80% chance of beating it. They immediately started him on round one of chemo and kept him in the hospital in SD (where he’s been for about the last month now) for observation to see how his body handled the treatment. With his white blood cell count finally raising back up they should release him by the beginning of next week.

The “bad” news along with having cancer is that Eric faces a long road to recovery including financially. I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with VA health insurance, but it sucks and doesn’t cover everything I think it should for someone who’s served his country. His medical bills are expensive because of things like the overnight stays he’s had in hospital, the ongoing chemo sessions and the arranged 2.5 hour drive (each way) transportation required from his home to the hospital in SD for the chemo sessions.

And since he can’t work for a while, the social service agent assigned to him is going to help him apply for disability income.

His two current jobs have created a local fundraiser for him, but I thought I’d create this Go Fund Me for him as well, so that if we raise enough money, he has one less thing to worry about and can use all his strength to fight the C and just get better.

I ask you all, if Kirb or I mean anything to you please donate to this fundraiser (and share on your socials). And if you’re a stranger reading this and just wanna do a good deed I encourage you to donate as well. Donate what you can, even if it’s only a dollar as every little bit helps.

and if Kirby’s ever served you a drink I encourage you to donate the way he pours, HEAVY! haha Let’s get him drunk on donations the way I’m sure he’s gotten us drunk on occasion.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Peace and love everyone!

-TMW