Tom Meismer, my nephew, is one of the most resilient and determined people I know. Diagnosed with brain cancer in January 2023, Tom initially had brain surgery to remove most of the tumor, then underwent chemotherapy, and did go into remission. However, a follow-up MRI in May 2025 revealed the tumor was again growing. He was fortunate to be admitted to a clinical study at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago, where he’s undergoing both chemotherapy and an experimental drug regimen. The treatments are tough—chemo leaves him exhausted for days—but continuing MRI results have given us hope.

Tom and his wife, Kendra, are doing everything they can to keep life as normal as possible for their two young children. While the clinical study covers some costs, there are still significant expenses for travel, time off work, and daily living. Tom’s commitment to his family is unwavering, but the financial strain is growing. Mortgage payments, student loans, car loans, preschool, and the costs of raising two small children all add up, especially as Tom faces the possibility of unpaid leave as the year ends.

Even in the midst of treatment, Tom continues to raise funds for astrocytoma research, leading this year’s team—the “Astrocytoma Assassins”—with his trademark humor and determination. Our family and friends have rallied around Tom, but we need help to ensure he can focus on healing and supporting his family. Your support will help cover travel, living expenses, and the gap left by lost income, allowing Tom to keep fighting and inspiring others along the way.