Sobriety for Tomáš Mazuch

Hello Friends of Tomáš,

As you know, our beloved, beautiful, and talented friend, Tomáš, has been fighting a pitched battle with alcohol for the past few years. Lately, alcohol has taken the upper hand in a major way. But, due to what I have to describe as heroic efforts by his partner, David Flautt, Tomáš has been in rehab for several weeks and is committed to staying the sober course and will be transitioning into a sober living facility that will give him the best possible chance to get back on top.

You should know that Tomáš is otherwise homeless. Samantha Epstein, Alex Pitaluga, and I are taking Tomáš’s most prized possessions into our care, “on loan,” until he can get back on his feet. Dr. Michael Drusano is graciously joined our fundraising team. 

Tomáš also has some ongoing medical issues with his pancreas that are currently being evaluated in the hospital. Tomáš has twice been hospitalized since going to rehab. 

Our original fundraising goal was $2,000, to cover short-term needs for the next two months, and we were bowled over by the generosity of his friends, and we very quickly exceeded the goal. 

Tomáš will have some costs related to medical care and the sober living facility that will not be covered by insurance. We have consulted with the treatment staff at the rehab facility to set a new goal for funraising. To enter and have a stay sufficient for sobriety to “take”, and to make sure he can get the medical care he needs, we project he needs $2,000 by the time he is transferred out of the rehab facility, which is likely to be 5/6 or 5/8. He needs an additional $2,000 to assure that he can focus on his recovery programs and to make sure his medical situation can be adequately addressed.

In the past, I have viewed these GoFundMe campaigns with healthy scepticism or, in some cases, admiration at the sheer audacity of the ask. But this one came out of a conversation among a number of us that we’re in no position to take care of the full cost ourselves, but we’d be glad to chip in if other friends would too.

Sam, Mike, and I have misgivings about putting this request to you. But we are casting those concerns aside, because we want to honor our relationship with the truly extraordinary man we know, the man who could enter a door and instantly have everyone in the room drawn to him. We hope you feel the same way.

Please consider contributing to this effort to give Tomáš the best possible chance not simply to survive his battle but to prevail!

A Note on Financial Controls

Since you have been kind to entrust your money with me, I want to let you know what controls will be in place to assure your money will be used as advertised. All disbursements from the account will be made under the following rules:

• 100% of donations will go to service providers for Tomáš’s transition into sober living and medical care needs.
  
• $0 will go directly to Tomáš. He is not far enough along in his recovery for that. 
• $0 will go to Charlie, Sam, and Mike. It’s for Tomáš. Your generosity is compensation enough for us.
• If you tell us to pay ourselves, we will decline.
• All decisions on disbursement will be made jointly by Charlie, Sam, and Mike. None of that “at Charlie’s sole discretion” business.
• We intend that all funds raised will be spent. We will consult with the medical providers and facilities to determine prudent expenditures that are consistent with the sober living and medical health objectives.
• If you have questions about finances, please reach out to Charlie.