Hi, My name is Angel and I'm setting up this fundraiser in my neighbor and friend, Ellison Smith's name because she and her husband Tony have hit a rough patch. Tony Smith is a God-fearing, hard-working, fun-loving, wonderful man. Up until recently, he seemed very healthy, but on Wednesday, May 26, after his normal workout, Tony came upstairs to tell his wife, Ellison, of his severe head pain. He complained that his head felt heavy, and he dropped to the floor in pain, unable to stand up. The room was spinning and he began to vomit. After praying and calling a few friends and family for advice and several unsuccessful attempts to get Tony up, Ellison called an ambulance and they took Tony to Bronson Hospital. The doctors told Tony and Ellison that there was some sort of hemorrhage in Tony's brain and they started draining off the blood and fluid right away, but they couldn't drain it all. The hydrocephalus and a concurrent and related case of meningitis have been quite hard on Tony and his family and now after more than 3 weeks in the hospital, the doctors still couldn't get the fluid to stabilize to normal, so this morning, June 22, Tony underwent brain surgery to install permanent shunts to take the fluid away from his brain. The surgery went well and as I write these words, Tony is in recovery and his wife and children are looking forward to visiting with him soon. However, his battle--which has already been almost a month long, is not over. Tony will most likely require rehab and it may be 6 months or more until he is able to return to work. 

This is where you come in. Tony is a husband, a father of 4, and a grandfather. He is his household's sole breadwinner and has been for the last 30 years. As a realtor and property manager/independent contractor, when he is not working, there is no income. There's also no medical insurance. The medical expenses are mounting higher and higher, as are the household expenses. Applying for disability and medicaid are long and tricky processes, but Ellison is working on them. If and when they do come in, they will not cover all the costs. Ellison, Tony and their family ask for your prayers, and if possible, your financial help. This is urgent, as mortgages and bills don't stop just because you're in the hospital. 

Thank you for your prayers (they work!) and whatever you can give. Anything helps. God bless you for your generosity.