TRAVERSE CITY — When life’s unexpected turns come your way the people around you tend to come together. The owner of Bergstrom’s Burgers in Traverse City recently received an unexpected health diagnosis. Now, his staff and the community are finding different ways to show their support.
Timothy Bergstrom, the owner of Bergstrom Burgers, fainted at work a few weeks ago. A week and a half later, he had a doctor’s appointment that sent him back to the E.R. where he found out he had B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
“My prognosis is good because this was actually very early. And, I feel blessed that it was caught early, but the treatments are going to be long and I’m on day ten of chemo right now,” says Timothy Bergstrom, owner of Bergstrom’s Burgers.
While Tim is away, the rest of the staff at the restaurant has gone through highs and lows.
“For us here, it’s a struggle because trying to get, you know, people to work with us, customers coming in and complaining. And, you know, we try to explain to them, them that, Tim’s not here,” says Manager, Jessica Flores.
As Tim is in treatment at U of M Hospital, he is reflecting on how proud he is of his staff, and how they’ve showed their support to him and the restaurant.
“My only concern was that I wasn’t there. And what I found was that I truly am blessed to have the staff that I do because they really stepped up,” he says.
For server Poet, she says the community has come out in full force, bringing donations, and sharing their favorite stories about Tim. She’s been so touched by Traverse City’s kindness, she’s showing Tim her support, too.
“Well, just other day I gave my tips for the donations because it wasn’t too much. And like, Tim can use it,” she says.”
With a possible two years of treatment for Tim, he is choosing to take it day by day.
“I’ll be remaining positive, and I’m focusing on each day getting better. And, I think that I’m achieving that,” he shares.
To donate to Tim’s GoFundMe click here.