Support for Patrick Brennan & Family
Donation protected
As a customer-turned-regular-turned-friend, I’m reaching out on behalf of the Brennan Family to provide an update on Patrick Brennan and ask for the community’s support.
Many of you have noticed Pat’s absence from the bar over the last year and have checked in to make sure he’s doing okay. If you know Pat, you know he’s a pretty private guy who wouldn’t want anyone to worry, so the family has kept his health challenges close until a proper diagnosis could be identified.
After many months of hospital visits, rehabilitation stays, tests, scans, and growing symptoms, Pat has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle movement. Over time, this results in muscle weakness, impaired speech, and eventual paralysis. While there is no cure for the unforgiving disease of ALS, it’s the hope of Vallerie, Siobhan and Samantha to provide as much comfort to Patrick in the coming months.
We know this news will be a shock to many and while we’ve had more time to process than you have, we know this is a lot to hear and you will undoubtedly ask how you can help. With the family’s permission, we’re creating this campaign to help alleviate the financial burden that comes with months of hospital visits, growing medical and living expenses and future bills that will continue to increase as a result of traveling back and forth between Holyoke and central/eastern Massachusetts (this is the closest ALS clinics that Patrick is waiting to hear if he is accepted into).
There are probably many ways that Patrick and Brennan’s Place may have impacted your life. You may know him as a lifelong friend growing up in Holyoke, or perhaps you spent time together during his days at Siena College. There’s a good chance he taught you or your children how to play baseball, basketball, and softball. He might've taught you how to cook as a culinary teacher at Dean Tech, or maybe he gave you a job behind the bar at Brennan’s when you needed it most. Odds are he’s probably sponsored your softball league, kickball league, pool league or your kid’s fundraiser. Maybe you’ve grown to know and love his wife and kids or one of his many extended family members. Honestly- you might not even know Patrick or his family personally, but there’s a big chance you’ve made memories at his bar and very likely stepped foot inside his establishment on High Street, easily the best place to be on St. Patrick’s Parade Weekend in Holyoke.
So how can you help?
- Donations of any size are appreciated and will go directly towards helping the family keep their focus on Pat’s comfort and well-being. It’s hard enough to own a business these days, and we know this will help ease some of the growing financial stress as a result of so many medical expenses that insurance doesn’t cover.
- If you can’t donate at this time, we ask for your help by sharing this link with everyone you know. That can really go a long way in growing this campaign.
- In the coming weeks, stop by the bar for a drink or a bite to eat and support these local business owners. Thanks to the incredible dream team of Jimmy and Camus and all of the staff at Brennan’s Place, the lights at the bar have stayed on and the doors have remained open! It's been very hard to fill the void of having the Big Boss there in person and the reality is, they need your patronage.
- Stay tuned for plans for an upcoming fundraiser during the month of March and be sure to come to the Legendary Brennan’s Tent for Parade Weekend Festivities (Road Race is March 22 and Parade Day is March 23). In spite of everything he’s facing, Pat is adamant that the festivities continue this year and we’re going to do whatever we can to help make that happen.
Please know that Vallerie, Siobhan and Samantha appreciate all of your concern and thoughtful wishes even if they are not able to respond to your messages or your questions right away. Asking for help in this way is not easy but we’re just grateful they are ready to accept your support. This has been an overwhelming time for all of them and it will undoubtedly be a tough road ahead, but if Holyokers are absolute professionals at anything, it’s coming together when one of their own is in need.
On behalf of the entire Brennan’s Family - thank you in advance for all your love.
Tessa Murphy-Romboletti
Chris Camus
Jimmy Sheedy
Organizer and beneficiary
Tessa Murphy-Romboletti
Organizer
Holyoke, MA
Siobhan Brennan
Beneficiary