Tom Strong!! Love for Tom's family and legacy

UPDATE March 12, 2020 - Tom has lost his fight against cancer, but he remains in our hearts as does Edith, Laia and Kyla. We are keeping this campaign open to help Tom's loving wife and his amazing daughters through this sad time. Please donate what you can or use this platform to send an encouraging note to the family. 

Tom left a big whole in our hearts. His legacy of kindness, caring, and humor will always be with all of us. If you knew Tom, you were a friend. He had such a huge heart and lived his life, although too short, with a passion for those he loved. He will be missed terribly and we are all lucky to have known him.



UPDATE 2020:  Despite a horrible  surgery and agonizing chemo in 2019, the cancer remains. He needs our support and encouragement.

Tom continues to fight so let's continue to show Tom, Edith, Laia and Kyla love!! Donate and share - let's help Tom and his family so he can focus on beating this cancer free of financial worry. Encourage everyone you know to donate and continue to share his story. Tom is amazing!! TOM STRONG!!!!


TOM'S STORY - Tom’s 2018 started with a routine hernia operation and ended with major abdominal surgery to address cancer of the appendix, a very rare form of cancer. In between has been an emotional and traumatic rollercoaster for he, his wife Edith and their precious girls Laia & Kyla. Given the complex and mysterious nature of this particular cancer and because of an initial dire prognosis of “1-2 years” survival, Tom and Edith spread a wide net in search of treatments and therapies that could possibly improve those odds. Fortunately, they eventually found Dr. Holbrook and his team at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington. On November 26th the doctor performed the 8 hour surgery, and though the pathology report indicated that Tom had a particularly aggressive from of appendix cancer, the doctor is optimistic that in combination with chemo Tom’s chances are good that he’d have many years ahead of him to spend with his loving family.

The slow process of recovery has been challenging – 22 days intensive recovery in the hospital, followed by the current day-to-day incremental progress to gain the strength and energy to resume a normal life – has made Tom understand why he is called a ‘patient!’. At the outset Tom & Edith decided to not let cost dictate their path and chose instead to seek whatever showed promise in treating this strange disease, no matter the cost. Bills have mounted (which included medical, alternative therapies, supplements, time off of work, etc), but the focus on exploring the right path for Tom has been worth it, as while they are deeply in debt they take great comfort in their prospects for a healthy future that they gained through Dr. Holbrook.

WHY WE ARE RAISING MONEY - If you know Tom Shamrell, you love him. His infectious smile, his dry wit, and his passion for family and friends all make Tom such a bright light in our world.

Tom is fighting cancer that began in his appendix and metastasized. Diagnosed in April 2018, he has had major surgery and is now facing a long round of chemo.

We need everyone to help pitch in. This GoFundMe will help Tom with expensive co-payments, medicines, and supplement his disability income. We need help now, and for the next six months or more. Help us help Tom fight this and bring his full body, spirit, and health back!

Please donate today whatever you can. Set up reoccurring payments. And come back soon to donate again.

Please leave an encouragement for Tom. If you are local, reach out and ask Tom and Edith to see what you can do - be it bring food, take the girls out for some play time, or just visit.

TOM - YOU GOT THIS!!! TOM STRONG!!

We reached our initial goal of $10,000 for Tom and his family - LET'S KEEP GOING!!

NEW GOAL: $25,000 - thanks everyone!!