This came to my email the other day. I know many of the older Sways crew knows Tom Hickenbottom- a stand out both in and out of the water. He could use our help.
Here is the link to the donation website:
http://www.giveforward.com/supporttommy
Tommy has always been there for other people- he was a army medic during the Tet Offensive. Stylish in the water and generous and kind on land
Here is the blurb from the website:
Thomas Hickenbottom is a fourth generation Central California native
and lifelong resident of Santa Cruz, CA, was diagnosed in 2007 with head
and neck cancer. Since then he’s had multiple surgeries, radiation and
radio chemo at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. Unfortunately, the cancer
has metastasized to his lungs, and he wants to seek alternative
treatment at the Century Wellness Clinic in Reno, Nevada with oncologist
Dr. James Forsythe.
Rather than undergo debilitating and potentially lethal chemo
treatments at the VA, Thomas wants to take advantage of cutting edge
research and treatments at the Reno clinic: low dose chemo, immune
infusions, insulin treatments and supplements specifically for Tom’s
type of cancer.
The only drawback is the expense, which is tens of thousands of
dollars just for the treatment, and then there will be maintenance
expenses as well once his three weeks of treatment is done. But Thomas (
Tommy, Hicko and T.H. to his friends), is worth every penny! Anyone can
tell you the kind of person Tom is: kind, generous, positive, giving
and a role model for all.
For many years he coached Little League teams, even after his own
sons were done. He’s helped the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum to thrive,
contributed to the McPherson Art and History Center and to the Boulder
Creek Museum. He’s been a member of both the O’Neill and Arrow surf
teams, a member of several surf clubs, and a surf historian, capturing
the history of Santa Cruz in two books: “Surfing in Santa Cruz” and
“Local Tribes.” In fact, all of the royalties from his " Surfing in
Santa Cruz" book go directly to support the surfing museum. He
represented Santa Cruz in surfing contests up and down the California
coast for over 30 years.
Thomas also served in the US Army as a medic with 2 tours of duty in
Vietnam from 1967- 69. He tended to the wounded during the famous Tet
Offensive of 1968. When Hurricane Iniki ravaged the island of Kaua’i,
Thomas was the Northern California organizer/founder of the “Toys For
Kaua’i Kids” campaign which generated a huge amount of toys. They were
then shipped to Kaua’i just in time for Christmas!
After 40 years of service to this community, it’s time for everyone
to support Thomas Hickenbottom, as he fights for his life by choosing
the very best treatment he knows.
Join us in our fundraising efforts, by contributing here on this
site, or to the Thomas Hickenbottom Cancer Fund at Bay Federal Credit
Union, and join us at several fundraising events in Santa Cruz, CA.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts:
Susan Allison
Tristan Hickenbottom
Bryce Hickenbottom
Allison Moore Aguilar
Jay Moore
Armando Aguilar
Alexandra Moore
Andrew Moore
Katie Aguilar
