Hi everyone, I’m reaching out during an incredibly difficult time for our family to ask for support for Tony DiDonato.

On Tuesday morning, Tony went to the ER with severe back pain. What we thought might be something minor quickly turned into something much more serious. Doctors discovered a widespread infection that had formed abscesses in his spine, right shoulder, and even his heart.

Friday night, he underwent emergency spinal surgery where surgeons removed three abscesses from his lower spine (L1, L2, and L3). The infectious disease team is now running tests to determine exactly what type of infection he is fighting, but they believe it may have come from an environmental source.

In addition, doctors have found vegetation on his heart, and he is scheduled for a TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) on Tuesday to get a clearer look. Depending on what they find, he may also need a procedure to remove some of the infection.

This has all happened so fast, and while we are incredibly grateful the surgery went as planned, we know the road ahead will be long. He is expected to be out of work for at least the next 6 months, possibly longer, while he recovers and undergoes continued treatment, including long-term IV antibiotics. We are asking for help to ease the financial burden during this time—medical bills, daily expenses, and lost income are quickly adding up. Any donation, no matter the size, will make a difference. If you’re unable to give, sharing this page would mean the world to us.

Thank you for your support, prayers, and kindness during this time. It truly means everything to our family. We will continue to make updates on here if you’d like to follow along with his journey!

With gratitude,

The DiDonato family