Thom Ott's Medical Journey

Hello, we are Lexi and Chastine. We are friends of the Ott family and Thom's co-workers. You are reading this today because a great man, Thomas Ott is in need of some support. In July Thom entered the hospital with atrial fibrillation and a highly elevated white blood cell count. After a weeklong hospitalization with numerous tests and scans he was released without any definitive answers.

In the weeks and months that have followed Thom has been unable to return to work. His wife, Tammy, has also missed a lot of work to support and care for him during his illness. Since his initial hospital stay, he has been hospitalized another two times. It has been an incredibly difficult and trying time for the Ott family as their lives have been altered dramatically.

Recently, Thom finally received a diagnosis of the blood disease known as systemic AL amyloidosis. This disease is caused when a person's antibody-producing cells do not function properly and produce abnormal protein fibers called immunoglobulin light chains. These light chains come together to form amyloid deposits which can cause serious damage to multiple organs, especially the heart and kidneys. The treatment for this disease is a combination of chemotherapy and dialysis (both of which Thom has now begun); then eventually possibly stem cell transplantation.

As you know, Thom has always been there for all of us. He's the first one to lend a helping hand or offer a kind word. Now it's time for us to be there for Thom and his family. With a reduced income and accumulating medical bills their finances have been upended. We are asking anyone who is willing and able to donate to this worthy cause. The funds will offset his medical expenses and potential travel costs to Mayo Clinic for treatment. Any amount will be incredibly helpful, because the ongoing chemotherapy treatment is very expensive and may only be partially covered by insurance.

Thom is one of the kindest, most generous, and giving people that most of us have ever met. In the beginning of this journey he felt like a fundraiser was too much but let's show him that he is special and deserving! Now is the time for us all to come together to support him and his family. If you are willing and able please help us raise some funds to support the Ott family during this trying and uncertain time. The certainty of stable finances will allow Thom to concentrate on his health and recovery instead of worrying about struggling to make ends meet.

Thank you your support!