My name is Kristi Bruder, and I am writing this GoFundMe for my dad, Tom Bruder.

Right now, my dad is struggling with severe spinal degeneration and chronic pain that has drastically changed his ability to live his everyday life. We are raising money to help him receive stem cell therapy, a treatment that could reduce his pain and improve his mobility, something that traditional surgeries cannot fully offer.

Today, my dad can barely walk from the house to the driveway without discomfort. Walking even 25 yards across the pool deck requires him to stop and rest. Simple movements like standing upright, bending down, or even putting on socks and shoes are painful. One of the hardest moments for our family was at my wedding, when he struggled to walk me down the aisle, something that once would have been effortless for him.

You may call him Tom, Coach Tom, Tommy, or Tommy Bruder…but to us, he is Dad and Papa.

Tom Bruder has always been someone who lives life in motion. From the time he was young, he was as active as they come. He was an All-American competitive college swimmer, a cross-bay swim champion, an ocean lifeguard, a runner, a surfer, and a boogie boarder. In his early years, he spent countless hours in the ocean, running 5–10 miles in the sand during lifeguard seasons and even traveling to Trinidad and Tobago to surf.

But Tom wasn’t just an athlete, he was a hardworking provider.

For 25 years, Tom worked as a Union Carpenter, taking on any job that came his way to provide for his family. He worked as a foreman and shop steward, spending long days doing physically demanding labor. At the same time, he spent over 30 years as a professional swim coach, working construction during the day and coaching swimmers at night.

His weekends were spent at swim meets, on pool decks, and sometimes walking picket lines with his daughters, teaching us the value of hard work and standing up for what you believe in.

And if you ever saw Tom coaching, you know exactly the kind of coach he was.

He wasn’t the quiet one sitting in a chair. Tom was the one running up and down the pool deck, screaming splits, cheering at the top of his lungs, and pushing his swimmers to believe in themselves. In his healthier years, you could see him sprinting from one end of the pool to the other, fully invested in every race.

And the best part? He didn’t just cheer for his own swimmers. Even kids from other teams, or swimmers who had moved on, still heard Coach Tom’s voice cheering them on.

Because that’s who he is. He shows up for everyone.

For over 30 years, Tom has also been a devoted husband to my mom. Even while managing his own pain, he still takes her to doctor’s appointments and does everything he can to support her. Their relationship has always been a true partnership, built on loyalty and showing up for one another.

As a father, he was always there—sled riding in the winter, riding bikes, attending games, helping with projects, and making sure we knew we were supported in everything we did.

If you knew Tom, you know he showed up—not just for his own kids, but for everyone’s kids.

In 2008, Tom was injured on a construction job. What we didn’t realize at the time was that it would begin a long and difficult road of health challenges.

Years of physical labor and that injury led to severe spinal issues. In 2021, Tom underwent major surgeries, including a lumbar laminectomy and a cervical discectomy with an artificial disc replacement.

Today, he suffers from degenerative disc disease and arthritis in his lower spine (L2–L5). The pain affects every part of his life. Doctors have even recommended that he use a walker, something that is incredibly difficult for someone who has always been so active and independent.

One option is spinal fusion, but that would permanently limit his mobility and still leave him in pain.

Instead, we are hoping to pursue stem cell therapy, which may help reduce inflammation, slow the degeneration, and improve his quality of life. Many patients experience significant pain reduction and improved mobility, allowing them to walk, bend, and live more comfortably.

Even through all of this, my dad refuses to give up.

He still swims every day because it is one of the only things that brings him relief. He continues to coach the West Islip Swim Club, even while in constant pain, because coaching gives him purpose.

Most importantly, he is the proudest Papa to his grandchildren—his “sidekicks.” Being present in their lives is what keeps him going, even on his hardest days.

To know Tom is to love him.

Growing up, people would ask me, “Are you Tommy Bruder’s daughter?” and I have never felt prouder to say yes.

For decades, my dad has been the one cheering everyone else on.

Now, we are asking for your help to cheer for him.

Any donation, no matter the amount, will go directly toward his treatment. If you are unable to donate, sharing this page or keeping him in your thoughts means just as much.

Thank you for supporting our Dad and our Papa. ❤️