Tommy’s Story
Tommy bravely fought recurrent osteosarcoma for almost four years, staying with Yellow Door three separate times.
We are heavy hearted and saddened at the passing of Tommy. Tommy first came to Yellow Door in 2018 at age 11 with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma. He underwent surgery to remove two ribs and endured months of treatment, rarely complaining. His loving grandparents, Sande and Ron, helped with his daily medical care and appointments, while his mom, Mia, was in Northern Virginia battling cancer herself. Mia came down on the weekends and they called the Dreamer and VOGA Apartments home for 10 months.
Tommy returned home and to his life of school, sports and friends. However, his cancer returned, twice over the next two years, bringing him back to Charlottesville for two more 6-month treatments. The family called the Baer-Hart House and The Nest home during these two stays finding peace and comfort within their walls during difficult days.
Tommy’s last treatment ended in June 2022 when he returned home to enjoy the summer and fall with friends and family.
Over the course of three and half years, Tommy and family were embraced by the Yellow Door Family, sharing treatment ups and downs, victories and defeats. The loss of this remarkable young man is felt deeply by all of us.
Tommy, like most teenage boys, loved playing video games, was into fast cars and music, and followed sports. He became a UVA sports fan during his time in Charlottesville and was recognized in October 2021 as one of UVA Football’s Thursday’s Heroes. What a special day for Tommy and his mom to tour the facility, play catch on the practice field and meet the players.
However, his greatest love was UVA Men’s Basketball born from the remarkable 2019 comeback season that culminated with the 2019 NCAA Championship. Tommy gained friendships with the team and their visits to the hospital helped lift spirits. These are friendships he maintained until the end and we are indebted to the team members and staff who brought such joy to Tommy.
Despite the years of grueling treatment, Tommy held onto his funny sense of humor. Always with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye, he lovingly gave his grandparents a hard time, keeping them on their toes. During his most recent course of treatment, he decided to keep a bucket in the bathroom where he collected the hair he lost. When asked about it, he replied simply, “I am keeping it and going to make Pap a toupee.”
Not long ago, Sande, his grandmom, shared with us that one night while she and Tommy were in bed, she asked him if he was angry about the hand he had been dealt in life. Tommy looked at her and said, “If I never got cancer, we would have never met Miss JoAnne and Yellow Door.”
Tommy, it is Yellow Door that is forever changed by knowing you; watching the strength and courage you exhibited while battling cancer for almost four long years; witnessing the grace and acceptance you demonstrated in light of your diagnosis and prognosis; and being fortunate enough to bask in the glow of your smile and sense of humor that you maintained even on the darkest days. We are humbled and forever blessed to call you “family.”
We find peace and take solace in knowing that you are no longer in pain, that you will be forever young, and that you will forever be shining down on UVA Men’s Basketball.
“Truly what has brought me comfort is thinking about Tommy and his stay at Yellow Door. Last night memories flooded my heart of our stay with him there. Under the most heartbreaking of circumstances there were so many times of joy! Thank you for providing these times for us. Forever grateful!
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