Thank you for helping us reach our fundraising goal! Together we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by ALS. Our team is committed to raising money to support people in our community with ALS and spread awareness of the urgency to find treatments and a cure. Please consider joining Team Nancy in the Walk to Defeat ALS®

ABOUT ALS 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of a person with ALS averages 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis. 

ALS can strike anyone. Presently there is no known cause of the disease, yet it still costs loved ones an average of $250,000 a year to provide the care people living with ALS and their families need. Join the movement to provide help and hope today!

NANCY’S STORY
She was a loved and loving wife, sister, mother of two, grandmother of three, aunt of three and friend to many. She retired from dental hygiene just a few years ago having worked in private practice for 20 years and dental research for more than 30 years. She endured ALS for only 50 weeks. It was a journey we traveled together but we both knew only one of us would get past the finish line.

Nancy began her journey following a hiking trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in September, 2019. She complained about a weakness in one leg. One doctor had her do physical therapy which just left her more weakened. After fighting thru a whole series of tests, and with the red-tape-cutting insistence of our Certified Nurse Practitioner and just before the holidays , we were given the diagnosis of ALS in mid-January, 2020. It was confirmed shortly after that. We eventually realized that the disease would work itself inward from her periphery.

Our introduction to the ALS Association began in February and we could not ask for a more supportive group. Specifically, the ALS lending closet lent us various types of equipment to determine if any of it could help us as we transitioned from one level of the disease to another; lifts, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and even some personal items were available to us at no charge. The non-personal equipment was simply returned for the next patient with ALS (PALS) to use. We have also attended ALS group discussions and caregiver meetings where experiences are shared and problems and solutions discussed; the support from each other is tremendous. 

Nancy celebrated two Christmases this past year.  Her family and friends organized a ‘Christmas in July’ party for her and she received more than 200 Christmas cards from across the country.  She also was able to celebrate everyone’s birthday one last time.  She celebrated Halloween, Thanksgiving, her birthday, the real Christmas and New Year’s, 2020, with all of her family.  Sadly, she was with us for only a very few days beyond that.

Then, one evening, she simply went to sleep and never woke up. 

Even though it was expected, it was still the hardest thing I have ever had to experience.  Watching your life’s partner wither away with ALS is indescribable.  Many of you who knew Nancy knew that she was claustrophobic so being unable to move was a hell unto itself.  At least she has a relief from that now.

Without the ALS lending closet and the ALS Association, the journey would have been much more difficult and lonely. Please support their efforts thru your donations.

So no one else will hear “You have ALS.”