For 10 years, between 1984 and 1994, my friend Phil served in the United States Navy, including time in the Persian Gulf before Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was part of the dangerous work of sweeping marine mines from Gulf waters and earned the Navy Expeditionary Medal for his service. He has always been proud of the years he gave to the Navy and to his country.

Today, Phil is facing a very different kind of battle.

In August 2024, Phil was laid off from his job. Despite applying widely, taking part-time and gig work, and trying a new position that ultimately didn’t work out, stable employment never came. Phil and his wife, May, have been getting by using her Social Security income and dipping into her retirement savings just to keep up with the mortgage and basic living expenses.

In January 2026, Phil was rushed to the emergency room with uncontrollable shivering, nausea, and severe pain. Doctors discovered kidney stones in both kidneys, along with a serious infection in his right kidney. His condition escalated rapidly, putting him at risk of sepsis. Emergency surgery was performed to place drainage tubes in both kidneys to relieve the blockage and control the infection.

After several days in the hospital, Phil was discharged and briefly able to return home. Unfortunately, on Friday, complications arose when both kidney drain ports came loose, and Phil was readmitted to the hospital. He remains hospitalized while doctors work to stabilize his condition and prepare for further treatment. This is not a short-term issue; Phil will need multiple surgeries in the coming months to address the medical challenges he and May face. There will be ongoing urology care, follow-up procedures, and recovery in the months ahead.

At this time, Phil does not have health insurance, and the costs of hospitalization, procedures, medications, and follow-up care are significant. While he is working with hospital financial counselors to explore assistance programs, these resources do not cover lost income or basic living expenses during recovery.

This fundraiser exists to help ease that burden—covering medical costs not addressed by assistance, housing expenses, transportation to appointments, and day-to-day needs—so Phil and May can focus on healing and getting through this crisis without losing their footing.

Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this page, is deeply appreciated.