Long-time Pacific Beach tennis coach Tom Svajda recently received the diagnosis of stage four colon cancer. The Svajda name is well-known throughout the local tennis community with Tom having coached for over 20 years while becoming a mainstay at the Pacific Beach Tennis Club.
“I’ve known Tom for 15 years. I used to go play his kids when they were 8 and 9 years old and they would destroy me on the tennis courts,” said Pacific Beach Tennis Club member Gary Kent. “He’s great with kids and they love him along with being a very patient and humble guy.”
Kent set up to GoFundMe page due to the toll that the diagnosis has had on Svajda, who has been unable to work since late April – with over $62,000 raised so far, friends and community members can visit gofundme.com to help out.
“I could see he wasn’t doing that well and he would tell me he wasn’t feeling well,” Kent added.
Svajda recently celebrated his 23rd wedding anniversary with his wife Anita and has two sons, Zach and Trevor, who are standout tennis players themselves.
“The community is rallying to support him as he receives treatment,” the GoFundMe fundraiser reads. “We’re asking you to help Tom and his family stay above water so they don’t lose their home and can cover their expenses, and get through their hardships from the medical bills and loss of work. And this will take a huge worry and weight off of Tom so he can focus on his cancer fight.”
Stage four colon cancer, also known as metastatic colorectal cancer, is when cancer has spread from the colon or rectum to other parts of the body. It’s divided into three stages based on where the cancer has spread. A cure for stage four colon cancer is easier to achieve if the spread is limited and can be surgically removed.
Treatment options typically aim to relieve symptoms and prolong life, but some may make the quality of life worse or stop working. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. The prognosis for stage four colon cancer varies depending on several factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, and the extent of the disease. For more information or to help Svajda in his battle, go to
www.gofundme.com/f/support-tom-svajdas-battle-with-cancer?cdn-cache=0.
