My name is Tristen Coleman and I am a Senior Music Education Major at The University of Southern Mississippi. I am an active member of The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, Trombone Studio, Concert Band, Concert Choir, and much more…

On August 1st, 2025, my father, Barry Coleman, unknowingly suffered a heart attack and went to MEA Medical Clinic in Pearl, MS to be seen by a doctor for what he assumed was something small. It was there, as he walked through the door, that they realized he was having (another) heart attack. He was then rushed via ambulance to The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). From there, they discovered his heart was functioning only at 5% and that he was also a type 2 diabetic. Following his diagnosis, they rushed him into surgery for what was supposed to be a triple bypass; turned quintuple bypass. He spent several weeks in the hospital recovering, bouncing from the Cardiovascular Unit and the ICU.

During his time in the hospital, our family had to make some small arrangements in order to be there for him. With me preparing to leave for college, I had to quit my summer jobs early and drive my sister and mother to and from the hospital to see my dad as I was the only one with a functioning vehicle. I spent the remainder of my summer leading up to preseason band camp stepping in as a secondary provider. My mother also faces medical issues and my sister does not have reliable transportation, therefore I stepped up to help them while I could. This left me in a very difficult situation as I inevitably had to leave them to continue my education. While they are working on getting a car up and running to bring my dad to doctor’s appointments, rent, gas, groceries, and other various expenses still happen. This has left my family, including me, in a very difficult position financially.

With this GoFundMe, I hope to offer my family peace of mind as they continue to work on healing my dad. While he is home now, the journey to recovery is far from over. I would like for my parents and sister not to worry about how they will make the next rent payment on the house or how to pay for my dad’s prescription/insulin. This has become such a drastic change to our lives, especially my dad’s. He always has been the breadwinner of the family. Now more than ever, I wish I could be back at home with them helping my sister work to help pay off expenses. However, I know I cannot leave college; that is not something my dad would want me to do.

Therefore, I am asking for any and all support in helping relieve them financially. While I am also not in good standing myself, I would rather them have peace of mind. Anything helps; a like, a share, and even a donation. I ultimately feel helpless and wish I could do more. Prayers and thoughts are much appreciated as we try to navigate the new norm with my dad.