Hi my name is Tom and my life was altered forever when I was diagnosed with a rare lung disorder: Interstitial Lung Disease. This killer takes no prisoners as it spreads rapidly, is irreversible and has no cure. At this time I have a three year life expectancy. The only information from the doctors is that it is a hypersensitivity to something in my environment. 

By way of background, I was raised in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, was a three sport athlete at Don Bosco Prep and then played outside linebacker for Holy Cross College ‘84 (yes I did really sack Doug Flutie) I later attended Stern Business School. In my spare time I enjoyed (pre-oxygen) my golf matches and I am a five time marathon runner. 

I am a divorced Dad with three kids (Michael, Delaney and Trevor) who live with their Mom in Florida. I am raising funds to keep a roof over their heads and fund their college education. You see, once diagnosed I was immediately attached to an in-house oxygen tube 24/7 and, as a result, I was forced to stop working. 

This disease robbed me the opportunity to earn a living.  It was at this point that I needed to reach out to the community for assistance. 

In these two years I have drawn on my savings and have little funds to support the family. There is no life insurance. My family has been super supportive in so many ways, but have reached their fiscal limit to continue giving.

The funds will:

• Pay the rent, insurance, food, utilities, clothing and all other monthly expenses that arise.
• Fund a college education for each of them.

The kids have come along way from the day they learned to ride a bike (cover picture). They are kind, considerate members of their school community who are thriving in and out of the classroom. They are intellectually curious, athletically gifted and socially secure. 

They are passionate about their studies as a means to a good college education. I want to assure that goal for them.         

Thank you for your time, compassion and generosity.

Tom