We are reaching out to the community to support Thomas (Tom) Gilligan and his wife, Georgia, during a period of extreme medical and financial hardship. The Gilligan's have always donated their time, energy and money into causes that help other people. Now, they need our help.
The Backstory:
Tom is managing a complex intersection of rare Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), uncontrolled Type II Diabetes, and the aftermath of eight strokes. Tom and Georgia have always been fighters, pushing through whatever life presented them with determination, grace and faith.
The Current Situation (April 2026):
Tom again had multiple strokes this month that landed him in the hospital and then a rehab center. Since his most recent strokes, his condition has reached a critical point:
- Physical: 98% wheelchair-bound, right-side paralysis, and chronic nerve pain.
- Cognitive: Advancing vascular dementia causing severe memory loss and daily agitation.
- Financial: Tom’s employment ended in July 2025. They are currently in the process of applying for SSD reinstatement and transitioning to Medicare, leaving them without steady income for months.
How You Can Help:
The Gilligans need our help to bridge the gap until full Social Security Disability benefits are processed and available. Funds will be used for:
- Medication Continuity: Maintaining the 11+ prescriptions required for his heart, blood pressure, diabetes, and pain.
- Specialist Access: Covering out-of-pocket costs for Neuropsychological Evaluations, PT/OT, and medical supplements.
- Home Stability: Assisting with household expenses in Lakeland during this transition.
We are seeking gifts totaling $50,000 to help with current bills and monthly needs. Our gifts will allow this family to keep up with living expenses in Lakeland, FL, and provide Tom’s care.
Please consider a one-time gift or ongoing monthly gifts to help this family. Every contribution allows Georgia to focus on Tom’s care rather than the fear of financial ruin.
Whether you are currently able to give or not, please share this page so we can get this family the help they so desperately need.
Dave Ulrich, Dory Joseph, Georgia Dodd, and Karen Bosi