Members of Austin’s music community turned out in force Sunday to support one of Austin’s finest.eight bands played an eight hour benefit concert at Antone’s for former Austin police officer Tom Owens.
“I’m glad we all showed up,” said musician Jimmy LaFave. “We’ve all had someone touched by illness. It’s time to pay back. My mom died of pancreatic cancer so I get what is going on. it is a very hard road.”
Tom Owens, 48, is in the fight of his life.
"it has taken everything away from me really,” said Owens. “I spend a lot of time in bed nauseous, in pain.”
He is battling chronic pancreatitis.
“He has no quality of life,” said his wife, Diana. “our life has changed so drastically from what we had. He’s not able to do much of anything.”
The illness occurs when digestive enzymes attack and destroy the pancreas and nearby tissues, causing scarring and pain. while the disease is not fatal, the enzymes and toxins can enter the bloodstream and injure the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs. next month Owens will travel to Minnesota, where he will undergo a 15-hour surgery to help relieve his symptoms.
“I watched him go in and out of the hospital several times,” said Melissa Anderson, Tom’s sister.
Anderson was tired of seeing her brother suffer. she arranged the benefit concert and silent auction to help raise money to pay for the high risk surgery in Minnesota.
His brethren in the police department are helping him every step of the way in his fight. Austin Cops for Charities presented Owens a check for $5,000, but that is not all.
“We’re sending you our positive thoughts, love and prayers,” said Wuthipong Tantaksinanukij, with APD Air Operations Unit.
For Owens, he is hoping to get his life back so he can go back to chasing bad guys.
For more information, visit supporttom.com.