Donate now to provide medical care assistance for Former US Navy SEAL

April 2017 UPDATE!! Tom has been released from the VA after a very long recovery process filled with many ups and downs. He will be heading back to Honduras with extensive planning and preparation to ensure he is able to receive the care he needs. YOUR financial support with this fundraiser for Tom has ensured he has funding to help with the updates of his home that are needed to accommodate his medical needs. Thank you for your generosity of giving in donations and continued prayers.

Former US Navy SEAL Tom Bergerson was born in Minnesota and entered the US Navy at 17. He graduated BUDS class 36, served in Vietnam and worked as a Commercial Diver until the late 80s. After running a Landscaping business for a few years he went to sea again on Coastal tugs/push boats and retired about 10 years ago to the house he built on Utila, one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras.

A few weeks ago Tom awoke in the middle of the night with excruciating pain in his back that quickly deteriorated into paralysis of his lower body. A local physician and friend were able to get him to the main island hospital for emergency surgery to remove a clot from his Spine. However, Tom remained paralyzed and became extremely depressed. The hospital was not able to provide any further care for Tom, and the rush was on to secure Air Transport to the United States for Care.

Tom's sister, Cathy, reached out to a fellow SEAL teammate of Tom's for help. Within hours of receiving the request for assistance, the Navy SEALs Fund was able to secure funding to get the Air Transport wheels up and in route to Tom. Within 24 hours, Tom arrived at the Hines VA Medical Center for Spinal Care in IL. A sincere Thank You to Isaac Leider of Vital One Air Ambulance for the amazing support and care for Tom.

Tom's family and friends are now able to visit with him, to provide the mental encouragement he will need in addition to excellent medical care to recover. However, Tom's condition has recently diminished and he is now in the ICU fighting a spreading infection along with worsening paralysis of his body.

The Navy SEALs Fund is seeking your assistance in prayers and financial support for Tom and his family. While Tom is being currently treated at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), he has bills remaining from Honduras and an unsure future which will involve additional medical treatment and extensive physical therapy. Even with care at the VAMC, his medical recovery will not be free and any help you can provide to minimize the financial burden would be greatly appreciated.

100% of the donations made at this fundraising site are tax-deductible and will be used to provide support for Tom Bergerson.

*Please note: your bank statement may show 'Network for Good' as our processor for this Navy SEALs Fund campaign*

UPDATE 4/27/2016

Tom's current prognosis is that he will remain paralyzed. He will need a motorized wheelchair and a Track Chair for outside use. He currently has no hand strength and if that isn't overcome, he'll need specialized controls as well.

Tom was recently moved to Cochran VAMC in St. Louis where they will try to rid him of infections. There is still no diagnosis regarding the source of his pain! The plan is to move him to a different VA facility in St. Louis for therapy after the infections are gone.

UPDATE 5/18/2016

Tom has been moved to the Spinal Cord Unit at Jefferson Barracks VA in St. Louis. His family has been visiting him on a regular basis. He had started rehab, but came down with another contagious infection and was isolated to his room until it clears up. They are talking about where he will go when released - which may be 6 months from now. The needs he will have are overwhelming! Changes to any of our homes will cost several thousand dollars. Not to mention a personal caregiver and transportation. Tom's goal is to eventually return to Utila Bay Island in Honduras. Funds will also be needed for necessary changes there.

Please share and donate if you can. Any amount is greatly appreciated.