Tom Keiser Bladder Cancer Fund
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Josh Giljum. I have been friends with Tom for 20 years. We started out as neighbors, although I moved 10 years ago, he became, and still is one of my closest friends.
Tom is one of the best people I have been honored to know. He is a simple guy that selflessly loves his family, friends, the Mets, (all baseball really) and just living life. The Mets might come first? When we get together, and its pretty often, he is always talking about how proud he is of his kids Mandy and Justin. What you see is what you get with Tom. He is from Queens, and still needs to be interpreted from time to time. He is a veteran of the Navy having served on an Aircraft carrier (can you believe you can be in the Navy and never fire a gun?). He is still a loyal civil servant as a mail carrier in the USPS. Through our friendship he has realized how much he enjoys the outdoors, especially riding ATV's and shooting guns. He learned there is something to do outside other than play baseball, and BBQ. For Tom, there is nothing better than floating on a raft in the portable pool in his backyard drinking a cold one. I remember the first question Tom ever asked me and if you are a guy, he's probably asked you, "do you play softball?" Well, I dont, but he did and he still puts together multiple teams that he can manage every spring and fall.
Those of you that know Tom, know how private and selfless he is. He would never ask for help, and would probably absolutely hate this, but I think as friends we need to help anyway. A couple of months ago doctors found tumors in his bladder. They scheduled surgery to remove them within a week of finding them. They were able to remove them, and placed a stint between his bladder and kidney. Tom was out of work for a month, bored sick. He was finally able to return to work for a few weeks. Then a little over a weeks ago (today is March 30 2017) when they removed his splint and found new tumors on his bladder. This past Monday, they removed the new tumors and now he is out for a couple more weeks of work. The doctors have told Tom he will be beginning BCG Treatment very soon. BCG Treatment is actually a tuberculosis treatment, that scientists have found to be effective with bladder cancer.
Tom does have sick days and vacation, although, I really dont know if it enough or not. His wife Donna just started a new job the same week he had his first procedure, so I imagine her time off to help Tom is unpaid. All monies raised will be going to Tom and Donna to use for living expenses and monthly bills, such as utilities or groceries, and medical bills. I hope that with everyones generosity, there is some extra money, and he can take a trip to New York to see his mother and siblings, or for his family take a needed vacation to the beach or Lake of the Ozarks when this is all behind him. In an ideal world, Tom and Donna would not have to worry about paying the monthly bills or stress about medical bills when his health should be their only concern. But we all know this is not the case. Financial relief is needed right now. And any little bit will help.
Even though Tom would not want this, I know he will be forever grateful to all that give. I know I will appreciate anyone that gives. He is a great guy, a great friend, and a fighter.
Thank you,
Josh
Tom is one of the best people I have been honored to know. He is a simple guy that selflessly loves his family, friends, the Mets, (all baseball really) and just living life. The Mets might come first? When we get together, and its pretty often, he is always talking about how proud he is of his kids Mandy and Justin. What you see is what you get with Tom. He is from Queens, and still needs to be interpreted from time to time. He is a veteran of the Navy having served on an Aircraft carrier (can you believe you can be in the Navy and never fire a gun?). He is still a loyal civil servant as a mail carrier in the USPS. Through our friendship he has realized how much he enjoys the outdoors, especially riding ATV's and shooting guns. He learned there is something to do outside other than play baseball, and BBQ. For Tom, there is nothing better than floating on a raft in the portable pool in his backyard drinking a cold one. I remember the first question Tom ever asked me and if you are a guy, he's probably asked you, "do you play softball?" Well, I dont, but he did and he still puts together multiple teams that he can manage every spring and fall.
Those of you that know Tom, know how private and selfless he is. He would never ask for help, and would probably absolutely hate this, but I think as friends we need to help anyway. A couple of months ago doctors found tumors in his bladder. They scheduled surgery to remove them within a week of finding them. They were able to remove them, and placed a stint between his bladder and kidney. Tom was out of work for a month, bored sick. He was finally able to return to work for a few weeks. Then a little over a weeks ago (today is March 30 2017) when they removed his splint and found new tumors on his bladder. This past Monday, they removed the new tumors and now he is out for a couple more weeks of work. The doctors have told Tom he will be beginning BCG Treatment very soon. BCG Treatment is actually a tuberculosis treatment, that scientists have found to be effective with bladder cancer.
Tom does have sick days and vacation, although, I really dont know if it enough or not. His wife Donna just started a new job the same week he had his first procedure, so I imagine her time off to help Tom is unpaid. All monies raised will be going to Tom and Donna to use for living expenses and monthly bills, such as utilities or groceries, and medical bills. I hope that with everyones generosity, there is some extra money, and he can take a trip to New York to see his mother and siblings, or for his family take a needed vacation to the beach or Lake of the Ozarks when this is all behind him. In an ideal world, Tom and Donna would not have to worry about paying the monthly bills or stress about medical bills when his health should be their only concern. But we all know this is not the case. Financial relief is needed right now. And any little bit will help.
Even though Tom would not want this, I know he will be forever grateful to all that give. I know I will appreciate anyone that gives. He is a great guy, a great friend, and a fighter.
Thank you,
Josh
Organizer and beneficiary
Josh Giljum
Organizer
O’Fallon, MO
Donna Keiser
Beneficiary
