For Tommy, life was full. A dedicated massage therapist, passionate cook, loyal friend, and lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers, he spent his days helping others feel better in their bodies, sharing home-cooked meals, and enjoying the little things, gardening, dinners with friends, and music.
So when his world shifted with a stage 4B prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, it came without warning, and with no symptoms.
Years earlier, a massage client had encouraged Tommy to get checked, and he mentioned it to his doctor. A manual exam was performed, but no PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test was ordered. It wasn’t until June 2024, during a routine visit with a new doctor, that a PSA test was finally ordered, and revealed an alarmingly high level.
“It has been near devastating,” Tommy shared.
That test set off a whirlwind: an MRI, biopsy, PET scan, Mediport placement, and the beginning of chemotherapy and androgen-blocking therapy. The diagnosis was inoperable and incurable prostate cancer.
For Tommy and his family, the news was crushing, but it also became a powerful call to action.
“A cancer diagnosis is both an individual and family disease,” says his sister, Debbie, a retired nurse. “We serve as his advocates on this journey. It’s a road we’d prefer not to walk, but like the quote from Lilo & Stitch says: ‘Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.’”
For Tommy, the hardest part hasn’t been the treatments, it’s been accepting the diagnosis and knowing it might have been caught much earlier if routine PSA testing had been done.
That reality continues to motivate his family to share his story. If even one man asks for a PSA test because of Tommy, they say, the sharing will have been worth it.
Long before his diagnosis, Tommy offered free chair massages at a Vickie’s Angel Foundation fundraiser. Years later, it was that memory, and Debbie’s online search for help, that brought the family back to the Foundation for support.
“Talking with Mickey has been a special blessing,” Tommy said. “Words cannot express my gratitude for the help that Vickie’s Angels has given me.”
Tommy, who has spent his life quietly helping others, has been deeply moved by the kindness and generosity shown to him.
Tommy draws strength from educating himself, sharing stories with others who’ve walked this path, and leaning on friends and family. He gives a special thanks to Carlee Seele, owner of Moss Creek Art, for her ongoing support and comfort.
A Sister’s Message to the Men Reading This
Debbie is clear-eyed and passionate about what she’s learned. PSA testing is not perfect, elevated results don’t always mean cancer. But without it, many men are diagnosed too late.
“Prostate cancer has one of the highest cure rates if caught early,” she explains. “Mammograms and Pap smears can detect changes before symptoms appear. PSA screening should be approached with the same urgency.”
She also acknowledges the hesitance many men feel when it comes to reproductive health: fear, discomfort, and a desire not to know. But ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.
“You have to be your own advocate. Ask for a PSA test, it’s just a blood test. Don’t rely only on a digital rectal exam, which can miss cancer.”
She urges healthcare providers to have the hard conversations and encourages men to push for answers. If insurance or access to care is an issue, there are community resources that offer free testing, like Zero Cancer.
“A cancer diagnosis is a horrible place to find yourself,” Debbie says. “It’s exhausting. But awareness and knowledge are power.”
To the men who are putting off PSA testing: please, don’t wait.
NEVER. GIVE. UP. HOPE.
Vickie’s Angel Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing a temporary financial bridge to help families battling cancer. We provide financial support for essential, non-medical needs such as rent, mortgage payment, utilities, transportation, and food. The foundation operates in an effort to remove the toxic stress of unpaid bills so the individual and their family can focus on their health. Through community-driven fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and generous individual donations, Vickie’s Angel Foundation ensures that 100% of donations directly support families in need. Guided by the values of love, faith, and hope, the foundation has touched thousands of lives by offering not only financial relief but also compassion and encouragement during some of life’s most difficult moments.
In order to give 100% to those in need, we are supported by Guardian Angels.
For many years, Charity Navigator has consistently rated us a four-star charity. As the foremost nonprofit evaluator globally, Charity Navigator has scrutinized close to 200,000 charities, evaluating their financial stability, commitment to best practices, as well as their accountability, transparency, and impact. Check out our profile here.