*Important UPDATE 2:30 pm Central*

He is reported to be doing well, but prayers are requested for National Association of Farm Broadcasting Executive Director Tom Brand who suffered a “serious heart attack” yesterday, according to the NAFB office.

NAFB president Mark Oppold informed the membership of the organization by email that Tom is doing fine and is at Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. “Tom will have a heart catheter procedure today to determine the extent of damage to the heart, and a future treatment plan,” Mark says. “Doctors are highly certain there is blockage, and if that is the case, are hopeful the balloon procedure is all that will be necessary. Depending on damage, open heart surgery is certainly a possibility.”

We will all be keeping Tom, his wife Beth and their children in our prayers.

*UPDATE from Mark Oppold – Tests show that Tom has blockage in every artery of the heart, with 95 to 100% blockage. Bypass surgery is required. Tom was put on blood thinners at the time of admittance, and it is not safe to operate. Doctors tell the family it will be Friday at the earliest, and next Monday at the latest for the surgery.
In the meantime, the family has been overwhelmed by visitors, calls, etc. from the St. Joseph community. We understand the outpouring of love and concern for Tom, but would ask the NAFB family to refrain from calling the office or the Brand telephones. There is a lot for them to process at the moment. The NAFB office phone system was down for a time this morning, due to the high call volume.
Here is what we suggest, email Tom at his regular email address: tom@nafb.com. Susan (and only Susan) will see those emails, print them out, and take them to Tom to read.