Tom Arends Family Fund
Donation protected
*Edited to add: Tom passed away the morning of April 17th, 2021.*
From Tom's wife Deb:
"Tom was diagnosed 5 years ago at age 44 with stage iv colon cancer mets to the liver and lungs. April 23rd 2016 changed our lives forever. Tom had no symptoms, he had gone to his Dr. for a diabetic check because he was a little jaundiced. It turned out he had tumors blocking his bile duct. At first he was not eligible for surgery due to the number of tumors on his livers. But we persisted, advocated to doctors and due to the fact he was so young, they decided to do colon and liver surgery. Tom went through both of those surgeries with such grace and determination to beat this horrible disease it amazed me everyday to watch him fight this. Tom has had more rounds of chemo than I can count- I lost count at 100, most of which were 3-day infusions of chemo. Tom went to work everyday- even days that he was on chemo wearing his pump. Tom worked up until the day they put him on hospice because there was nothing more they could do to treat his cancer. Tom is a proud member of the Raymond Fire department as well as Raymond Ambulance squad as an EMT. Tom often went on runs during chemo, right after chemo, and a few times wearing his chemo pump. He truly loved serving this community and is his families hero. Thomas is currently on hospice because there are no treatments left for him to try but he is still in warrior mode.
We love Tom 3,000. He is our Iron Man."
Donations will be used to cover bills and medical costs accumulated.
*Edited to add: Below is a lovely article that the Clara City Herald put out shortly before his passing*
From Tom's wife Deb:
"Tom was diagnosed 5 years ago at age 44 with stage iv colon cancer mets to the liver and lungs. April 23rd 2016 changed our lives forever. Tom had no symptoms, he had gone to his Dr. for a diabetic check because he was a little jaundiced. It turned out he had tumors blocking his bile duct. At first he was not eligible for surgery due to the number of tumors on his livers. But we persisted, advocated to doctors and due to the fact he was so young, they decided to do colon and liver surgery. Tom went through both of those surgeries with such grace and determination to beat this horrible disease it amazed me everyday to watch him fight this. Tom has had more rounds of chemo than I can count- I lost count at 100, most of which were 3-day infusions of chemo. Tom went to work everyday- even days that he was on chemo wearing his pump. Tom worked up until the day they put him on hospice because there was nothing more they could do to treat his cancer. Tom is a proud member of the Raymond Fire department as well as Raymond Ambulance squad as an EMT. Tom often went on runs during chemo, right after chemo, and a few times wearing his chemo pump. He truly loved serving this community and is his families hero. Thomas is currently on hospice because there are no treatments left for him to try but he is still in warrior mode.
We love Tom 3,000. He is our Iron Man."
Donations will be used to cover bills and medical costs accumulated.
*Edited to add: Below is a lovely article that the Clara City Herald put out shortly before his passing*
Organizer and beneficiary
Rebecca Trongaard
Organizer
Willmar, MN
Deborah Arends
Beneficiary