Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

I’m reaching out on behalf of my dad, Tom Simpson—beloved husband, father, “Babu” (grandfather), coach, and friend to so many. After a long and courageous six-year journey battling kidney failure, Tom has finally received the life-saving transplant we’ve all been praying for. While we are celebrating this incredible blessing, the road to full recovery is just beginning—and we’re asking for your help.

Tom’s Story

Tom has been married to his sweetheart, Felicia, for 43 years. Together, they have two adult children and eight grandchildren. Over the years, Tom has worn many hats—with unwavering heart and dedication. He’s been a tennis professional for 45 years, a pastor and missionary for 25 years, and a college tennis coach for 14 years. He often says he loves “teaching, preaching, and tennis!” But more than anything, Tom has loved to serve, whenever, however, and in whatever way he could. His servant leadership has defined his life and left a lasting impact on everyone who has known him.

Though relatively healthy and active for most of his life, Tom lived with high blood pressure for the last four decades—an underlying condition that ultimately led to stage 5 kidney failure. It was a life-altering diagnosis for a man who had always been the rock of our family and a steady presence in his community.

Since then, Tom has endured six grueling years on dialysis, multiple hospital stays, and the emotional toll of waiting—praying—for a second chance at life.

But through it all, God has been faithful.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Tom never gave up. He has shown unwavering faith, strength, and resilience. Even in the hardest seasons of disappointment, dead-end roads, and breakthroughs that didn’t come, God was ever-present, ever-listening. He heard our cries and comforted us as He whispered “not yet,” while inviting us to trust Him in the waiting.

And on Sunday, June 29th, God answered. The waiting was over. We received the call from Duke University Hospital—a perfect match had been found.

By God’s grace, the surgery was a complete success. Tom’s positive attitude, faith, and determination had him walking, talking, and sharing his faith with fellow patients, doctors and nurses less than 24 hours later, always wanting to give Him the glory for all He has done. We are incredibly grateful. But as anyone who’s walked the transplant journey knows, the battle doesn’t end in the operating room.

Why We’re Asking for Help

While this transplant has given Tom a renewed chance at life, the financial challenges of recovery are significant. Tom now needs to focus solely on healing, which means being out of work for an extended period. Recovery includes ongoing medical monitoring, a strict and costly medication schedule, and frequent travel to and from Duke for follow-up care.

Our hope is to raise $30,000 to help with the following immediate needs:

• Anti-rejection and other medications not fully covered by insurance

• Travel expenses to and from Duke for weekly follow-up appointments

• Groceries and meals during recovery

• Lost income from teaching and officiating, which are no longer possible post-surgery

• A financial cushion to help his family stay afloat while he heals

Every Gift Makes a Difference

Whether it's $5, $50, or $500, any amount you are able, or simply sharing this page, your support means more than words can express. Your generosity will allow Tom to focus on what matters most: getting well, staying strong, and coming home healthy to the people who love him dearly.

If you know my Dad, you know his heart. He’s the kind of person who always shows up—on the sidelines of a match, around the dinner table, in moments of celebration, and in times of need. He’s poured love, time, and energy into his family, his students, and his community.

Now it’s our turn to show up for him.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and kindness during this next chapter of Tom’s journey. With your support, we know brighter days are ahead.

With deep gratitude,

The Simpson Family

#LiveToServe