Help Thomas afford his cancer treatment on Jan 15!

Update: Thomas has a treatment date! Our friend Thomas Kane is fighting a highly treatable cancer. But his condition has left him unable to work and he is currently homeless and living in a shelter in Rockville. It's a dire and untenable situation. He has secured a Jan. 15 date to begin treatment in Baltimore, so Phil and Ian are trying to raise the $3-4000 he needs to spend the 7 weeks of his treatment in extended stay lodging near the facility (plus a bit more for his medical and personal needs during treatment if we can). Even the smallest amount helps and we'd be deeply grateful for any who might add a little to help Thomas find relief. If you don't want to contribute but could share this with a couple of people who might, that would be enormously helpful. Read more details below.

Many of you will remember Tom from the DC area music scene where he played in bands such as The Velvet Monkeys, Little Pink, The Slickee Boys, Last Train Home, Bombardier Jones, Whirligig and more.

If you know anyone with cancer, you know that time is of the essence in these matters. Tom’s cancer is very treatable, but it has gone untreated so far due to lack of finances. To compound the difficulties surrounding this treatment, Tom is currently homeless and living in a shelter in Rockville. His condition has left him unable to work and make money.

This situation is untenable for our friend. It is demoralizing and dire and he needs our help.

There is in place a plan for medical treatment which starts with chemotherapy and radiation and probably will involve surgery afterwards. While some of the medical costs are covered by Medicaid, the procedure is taking place outside Baltimore so Tom will need food and transportation as well as a place to stay during his treatment, however long it should go on.

We’re asking for $16,000 to cover a litany of medical and life expenses. Offers of help with housing or transportation are also welcome. Anything helps.

Too many people these days are finding themselves unable to get by. Insufficient medical treatment and poor living conditions have led many local musicians to die long before their time. Crowdfunding is regrettably the only way out of a bad situation for many people. So, if you can, please help Tom get healthy and back on his feet. And please share this with other people who may be willing to help.

Feel free to contact Philip or Ian here through gofundme or if you have our presonal info (GoFundme doesn't let us include an email address). Thank you so much for your support of our good friend.