Unstoppable Brand aka Jeff Galli

There are those that we meet in our lifetime that give their all.  Someone full of spirit, driven to try something new, to forge ahead through the odds.  People with so much enthusiasm that it rubs off on everyone around them.  That's Brand, Brother, Son, Carpenter, Fighter, Friend... And now Brand is in trouble.  Earlier this month, after enduring incredible neck pain, Brand went to the doctor.  Thankfully Brand has full medical insurance. Still, you know how that goes.  One doctor sends you to another who sends you to a third. Brand didn't give up, though.  After several doctor visits and an MRI scan, Brand was finally diagnosed with severe degenerative disk disease, calcification of the spine, and severe disk herniation compressing the spinal cord C5/6, C6/7.  The doctors told Brand that even the slightest trauma such as a minor car accident, fall, or a giant bear hug from his brother-in-law could lead to paralysis. He was told that there is little that can be done. Fusing the vertebrae is an option, but because of the extent of the damage and degeneration, Brand would never be able to bend or flex.  This out-door, working with his hands man, would be consigned to desk work for the rest of his life. (and if you know Brand, you know what that would do to him mentally and emotionally.) Imagine the traumatic blow to such a great spirit! A man who has always been so active and full of life told immobility is what he could expect for the rest of his life... DEVASTATING!  After the initial shock we told ourselves this could not be the only answer. Brand took up the fight, as he does.  He searched for other solutions, even outside the US, and that hard search has paid off.   Brand has been talking with a senior neurosurgeon in Germany who agreed to take his case. The surgeon advises a multiple disc replacement. Multiple Disk Replacement is a procedure performed in Germany but is not done here in the US. The surgeon believes that this will not only help Brand with his current issues, but also says that within three months all pain and immobility will be a distant memory.  Brand will not even feel as if he ever had surgery. He can continue his life as he wishes. Of course there are always those “what ifs,” but this was by far the greatest news possible.

Why are we doing this and how you can help: First, Brand is not looking for handouts. It has taken some effort for us to be able to do this for him. He's always been the one who “doesn't want to bother anyone.” It's taken his family a lot of trouble to get him to accept help from his friends.  The problem is that the surgery in Germany will all be out of pocket and it is not cheap. The surgeon informed Brand that had he been a German citizen, he would have been sent for surgery the day of his MRI. As Brand is a US citizen, this procedure and travel will be in excess of $40,000. Can you imagine? On a carpenter's salary?  It would be difficult to do by one man and his family, no matter how much love there is, Still, What can't be done by one man can be done easily by an army of friends.  Brand can use your strong hands, your shield, your purpose and support, helping him fight his way back to health and mobility Of course reaching that goal would be simply amazing, but anything that you can do to help us get closer to that goal would be greatly appreciated.


There are those that we meet in our lifetime that give their all. Please help keep that shining point in our lives as bright as it should be.

Thank you