Tommy Yellin Memorial Page
Help support research in Children's Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease
Thomas Michael Yellin (otherwise known as Tommy and T-Rex) lived in Cary, North Carolina, with his parents, Lori and Wes, and his younger brother Patrick. He loved hugs; vacuuming, sweeping, and raking; and watching videos on YouTube Kids.
Tommy was diagnosed with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome prenatally and ABCA3 deficiency (the most common genetic cause of childhood interstitial lung disease) at 4 years old. Tommy fought chronic illness with joy and determination, offering big smiles around medical offices and the hospital. Tommy lost his ILD battle on March 26, 2025, at age 12, but he left behind memories that his family and friends will cherish forever.
Among other medical professionals, Tommy was under the loving care of Dr. Ceila Loughlin and the team at UNC Pediatric Pulmonology.
The money donated in Tommy's memory will be used to fund research on chILD treatments and cures, in hopes of saving the lives of kids like Tommy.