Your tax-deductible donation to Help Hope Live’s SE Catastrophic Illness Fund will help cover Creston's caregiving and out-of-pocket medical and equipment costs

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative neuromuscular disease affecting the nerves in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. Over time, as the brain loses connection with muscles, persons with ALS (PALS) experience muscle weakening, which robs them of their ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. Military veterans and fire fighters have a significantly higher chance of getting ALS, nearly double that of the general population. In fact, ALS is considered a service-related disease by the U.S. Department of Defense.

There is no cure for ALS; it is 100 percent fatal.

The average life expectancy for PALS is 2-5 years. The estimated annual out-of-pocket cost for paid care for a PAL nationwide is $250,000. Creston is currently paying nearly $21,000/month to caregivers.