One of the pillars of the hobby community here in the states and just a great all-around fellow has been having medical complications and could use some help.
If you play Warhammer 40k here on the East Coast over the last ten years or so, you’ve probably met Mike or his brother Clark Welch at some point. These brothers travel miles to get a good day’s worth of gaming in at all kinds of 40k tournaments.
Mike has come down with some medical issues recently, on top of the ones that he and his family have been living with for years unknown to many of us. They really could use any support you can give.
Mike Welch Needs Your Support
Go Fund Me fundraiser
From Clark Welch:
Mike Welch was diagnosed with Fournier’s Gangrene and had to have 3 surgeries to save his life. He has had a large portion of his hip removed to remove the infection. There will be a long road to recovery. His wife Sara is taking time off from her job to help him with his medical needs now that he is home but she has spinal bifida and walks with crutches. Their son John has issues with a brain injury from a car accident. They could really use the help as Mike will not be able to return to work for several months.
Mike and his family look to have their hands full at this point in their lives and are open to any kind of support you can give for their Go Fund Me fundraiser. While Mike has already had the surgeries, there is still a long road ahead to travel.
If you feel compelled to help out a fellow hobbyist that has been on the tabletop scene for years, then head over to the page above and give them whatever you feel led to give.
On behalf of Mike Welch, his brother, and his family, we want to thank you for what you can give. The hobby world is a fascination that pulls everyone from all walks of life together under one common interest. We are all a family at the end of the day!
About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
