My name is Liam Green and I am raising funds for my dear friend Michael Shaw. He and I met in November of 2024 and quickly bonded over our shared appreciation of animals, the arts, and serving our local communities. I was immediately drawn to Michael's selflessness and caring demeanor. He is no stranger to using his time, talents, and energy to provide care and support for loved ones and community members through volunteerism. Whether helping a friend pack for a new adventure across the country, cooking a massive Thanksgiving meal, or lending his hands at local non-profits, Michael is there and eager to help.

In February of 2025, when driving to a public library in South Minneapolis, he witnessed an altercation taking place in the street. Michael stopped, assessed the scene to understand that bystanders were not intervening, and ultimately tackled the suspect to the ground, a man who was armed with a knife and assaulting his wife. He has since been nominated for a citizenship award for his bravery and willingness to act in a time of need.

For Michael, the past year and half has presented myriad hardships that have affected quality of life, finances, and future planning. In March of 2025, the beginning of a gastrointestinal tissue infection presented itself. Initial treatment was slow-moving, resulting in a chronic issue that causes persistent pain, severe spasms, and a vicious cycle of muscle tension. This has prevented healing, resulting in further complications and daily disruptions. Despite diet changes, ointments, and several rounds of antibiotics, this issue has persisted and surgery is the only solution.

Two weeks after moving into an apartment in Robbinsdale in April of 2025, Michael's vehicle was stolen off of the street overnight. This meant additional logistical stress of relying on public transit to commute to his job in downtown Minneapolis. He made do with a combination of city buses and rideshare apps, but the latter proved to be expensive and the unreliability of bus transit throughout the eventual winter months was challenging. To make matters worse, the stress of this change resulted in a major gout flare up, making his job with a concierge company near impossible. This company had poor organizational health and staffing, so because of his need for health accommodations, they chose to fire him. This financial setback meant purchasing another vehicle, even a cheaper used car, was simply not an option. His options for another job was narrowed by proximity to public transportation, but he found gainful employment again in September, fortunately.

Flash forward to January of 2026, Michael had an appointment for a routine physical and blood work. The tests signaled abnormally low kidney function, which after further testing, resulted in a diagnosis of Stage 3 AL Amyloidosis (amyloid light-chain amyloidosis), a rare blood disorder. Since this diagnosis, Michael has had multiple weekly appointments consisting of chemotherapy, X-rays, MRI, biopsies, and CT scans. This disorder has placed even more restraints on his daily life, including extreme fatigue, disruptive side effects from treatments, and lifting restrictions that have placed him on an extended leave from his employer. The aforementioned chronic GI tissue infection was to be addressed with surgery in January, but lowered kidney function disallows him from being placed under anaesthesia. Therefore, he must wait until chemotherapy is finished and his organ function is strong enough. Michael has been doing his utmost to handle his ailments day by day, but the indescribable pain he has been experiencing has tested every fiber of his being.

Financial support would mean that Michael could take care of outstanding medical expenses, purchase a vehicle, and rebuild his savings account. He hopes that the results of surgery and chemotherapy can place his AL amyloidosis into remission and allow him to work toward full health and an enriching rest of his life. Any and all monetary donations and words of affirmation will be instrumental toward uplifting Michael’s spirit and peace of mind as he continues to navigate these trying times.