For nearly 30 years, Tome Carreiro has been the steady hand people rely on during their most vulnerable moments. Whether in the operating room, on call at the bedside, or traveling far from home on medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Tome has spent his life quietly and consistently showing up for others.
Known affectionately as the “unofficial mayor of Southcoast,” Tome has built a reputation not just through his vital work as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and chief CRNA at Charlton Memorial Hospital, but through his boundless generosity. He is the colleague who covers shifts without hesitation, the friend who always checks in because he genuinely cares, and a dedicated military veteran who puts everyone else first.
Now, the man who has spent a lifetime taking care of his community is facing the hardest fight of his life.
Recently, Tome was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive grade 4 brain cancer. True to his selfless nature, his very first concern upon receiving the diagnosis was for his family: his wife, Jen, and their sons, Noah and Luke.
Jen shares that exact same spirit of service. For three decades, she has dedicated her career to the New Bedford school system, guiding, advocating, and looking out for at-risk students who need a champion. Together, Tome and Jen have fostered a home and a life centered on compassion, even continuing to support local fundraisers and community events amidst their own overwhelming news.
While Tome focuses on his medical treatments, the community he has poured his heart into for decades is stepping forward to return that grace. Tome’s primary worry has always been ensuring his family is provided for—including supporting Noah, a first-year dental student at Boston University, and Luke, a junior at UMass Dartmouth with aspirations of becoming a lawyer.
A community-led fundraiser organized by close friend Christopher Gill has been established to provide lasting financial stability, helping cover changing household expenses and educational needs so Tome can focus entirely on his health and loved ones.
As the campaign highlights, Tome would be the first person in line to help if anyone else were facing this journey. Now, it is our turn to rally around Tome, Jen, Noah, and Luke, ensuring they receive the same unwavering care, love, and support they have given to so many others for nearly thirty years.
To read more about Tome’s story, leave a message of support, or contribute to the family’s fundraiser, visit the Rally Around Tome Carreiro and His Family GoFundMe Page.
