Support Tom Start’s Heart Transplant Journey

My dad is the heart of our family and the kind of person who never hesitates to help others. For years, he spent his weekends under the hood of a car, fixing brakes, charging Freon, or tackling bodywork for friends and neighbors—always at no cost, always with a smile. But his generosity didn’t stop there. He was always ready to paint, move furniture, build or haul items, and do anything else that was needed. Dad is fun-loving, goofy, and full of puns, with a gentle wisdom and a selfless spirit that has touched everyone around him. He’s the dad who led with love, the grandpa who brings pure joy to his grandkids, and the friend who’s always first to lend a hand but the last to ask for help himself.

Now, Dad is facing the fight of his life as he waits for a heart transplant. The journey has been overwhelming—he’s been unable to work, and the mounting medical bills, insurance denials, and loss of income have put a huge strain on our family. Beginning June 30th, Dad will be admitted to the hospital for an extended stay, leading up to a major surgery and months of recovery and rehabilitation. The surgery alone is expected to cost an extraordinary amount, and the extended hospital stay before and after will add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the financial burden. During this time, my mom will be by his side, unable to work, while still managing the household and caring for Dad’s needs. Everyday expenses like gas, meals, lawn care, and keeping a sterile home for his return add up quickly, not to mention the lifelong medications and therapies he’ll need after surgery. The financial burden is only going to grow as Dad’s care continues, and while it makes our family incredibly uncomfortable to ask, we truly need help.

We know some may wonder why we didn’t reach out to them directly, or may have questions about insurance or coverage. We ask you to imagine being in our place—this is not easy for us, and it’s even harder to ask for support. But we believe that any burden can be lightened by many hands. Our family—Dad’s three kids, their spouses, and 11 grandchildren—are clinging to one another and soaking in every moment we have with him. The reality of not knowing what might be the last is very real to us. If love could sustain us, we would have no needs. But right now, we’re reaching out for help to support Dad through this critical time. Any support will go directly toward his medical care, recovery, and the daily needs that allow us to focus on what matters most: being together and giving Dad the best chance at a healthy future.

If, at the end of this journey—whatever the outcome may be—we find that there are funds remaining, we will ensure they go directly to supporting other families walking a similar path or to a nonprofit that benefits those facing the same challenges.