Billy Brimblecom Jr. is the CEO of Steps of Faith Foundation. Having lost his left leg to cancer in 2005, he reflects on his journey with thankfulness, often saying he wouldn’t change a thing about his experience. His trials have paved the way for him to help others facing similar challenges. With that spirit of gratitude, he has turned personal adversity into a mission of hope and mobility for others, especially through his foundation and its star-studded annual event, Thundergong! that raises funds to provide prosthetic limbs for uninsured and underinsured amputees.
In his own struggle to obtain a prosthetic limb, he saw firsthand the immense financial challenges that amputees face. With prosthetics ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, many amputees find themselves unable to afford the devices necessary for even the most basic mobility. Recognizing this urgent need, he dedicated his life to ensuring that others would not have to endure the same struggle alone.
Steps of Faith has helped over 1,400 amputees, giving them the gift of mobility and the chance to reclaim their lives. In the past year alone, the foundation has nearly doubled the number of people it assists, a feat made possible by the support generated through their event.
Thundergong! is not your typical fundraiser. Co-hosted by his longtime friend, actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis, the event brings together music, laughter, and a powerful cause. The annual concert showcases a lineup of musicians and comedians, creating a one-of-a-kind night of entertainment. Past performers have included the Foo Fighters, Counting Crows, and Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen, with surprise guests that make every year unforgettable.
What began as an idea to merge Brimblecom’s passion for music with his mission to help amputees has blossomed into an event with national reach and profound impact. To date, Thundergong! has raised over $2.1 million, all of which goes directly toward providing prosthetics for those in need. With demand for these services continuing to grow, he knows that the show must go on.
“We’ve been helping almost double the amount of people we helped last year. It’s insane and has been difficult to keep up with the demand, so we’ve hired a fourth person to help us. The success of our Thundergong! events have made it possible to have the funding to help so many people each month, which is beautiful—that’s why we have to keep doing these shows so that we can keep the donations coming in to keep up with the demand.”
While Thundergong! and Steps of Faith have undoubtedly transformed the lives of many amputees, Brimblecom is also embarking on a new personal journey: public speaking. After years of being invited to share his story, he’s now pursuing this path with intention, eager to inspire and move audiences across the country.
“I do keynote public speaking a few times a year. Folks know about my story and/or Steps of Faith and they ask if I’d speak at their event. I’ve always responded to the requests and never really pursued doing more of it. I really enjoy speaking events. The joke is that every drummer really wants to be a front man, so I guess I’m no exception! So yes, I have stories to tell and a message to share for corporate audiences that I feel will move them. I’ve been lucky to have many adventures traveling the world as a musician, lucky to survive cancer and losing a leg, and lucky to be able to build this beautiful organization with Steps Of Faith. I’m looking forward to sharing these stories with more folks around the country.”
As we enter the season of giving, it’s worth noting that gratitude has been the guiding force in his life.
“I’m thankful first and foremost for my wife and kids. All I need is them and everything I do, it’s for them in one way or another. I also have great friends that I’m very thankful for, and music—always thankful for music and the joy and people it brings into my life.”
As Thundergong! returns on November 9th at the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City, Brimblecom invites everyone to take part in this life-changing cause. You can support Steps of Faith by donating directly through their website or by attending the event. Every dollar raised brings an amputee closer to the gift of mobility, transforming not just their life, but their entire world.
In the spirit of gratitude, now is the perfect time to make a difference.
“The cliches about fundraising are true—every dollar really does add up. We have people that give us a big donation every quarter and we have someone in Indonesia that donates just over one dollar each month. They all are seen, felt, and make a difference. What Steps of Faith does is an essential and time-sensitive work. As an amputee myself, I can assure you that anyone who donates is truly changing someone’s life by restoring their mobility and opening up a whole world of possibilities for them.”
To donate and learn more, visit stepsoffaithfoundation.org.
Article by Allison Swan
Photography by Janie Jones
Originally published in Johnson County City Lifestyle