Ertzes for Eric Stevens
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Zach and Julie Ertz here... and for those of you who don't know, our good friends Eric and Amanda Stevens are dealing with some really tough circumstances. Eric, at age 29 was diagnosed with ALS and so for this holiday season we want to raise money for their family.
Eric's Story:
A captain of the Cal Berkeley football team, professional football player for the St. Louis Rams, and now a Los Angeles City firefighter, Eric was getting married to the woman of his dreams, Amanda. They were excited to start a family and their new life together with their dog Duke.
But exactly one month after their wedding day, Eric was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 29. The diagnosis and subsequent education they received about the horrific disease was the worst news one could ever imagine.
There are currently only 2 approved and available treatments for ALS which have shown little to no effect on slowing the progression of the disease. Although there are multiple treatments that are going through Clinical Trials that show very promising results and will help slow the progression down, ALS patients have no access to them. The only way you can potentially get the treatment is if you're picked for a clinical trial, and even then there is a 50% chance you will get the placebo. There is NO reason why a person with a terminal diagnosis should receive placebo over the actual treatment. Another downside to these clinical trials is they are a year long process, and time is the one thing ALS patients don't have. Every single day without treatment is a day lost.
Given his strong determination and success in anything he puts his mind to, Eric has chosen to fight and advocate for getting drugs and treatments available to patients NOW. Eric's goal with the help of his family and friends, is to raise awareness for ALS and act now toward getting treatments available.
About ALS
When you are diagnosed with ALS you are forced to see the future before you and realize that all your dreams have vanished. That each day you must appreciate a basic skill before it has been taken from you. Life expectancy is 2-5 years and paralysis comes much sooner.
According to HuffPost.com, “ALS is a very expensive disease, costing patients an estimated $300,000 a year. The majority of patients bankrupt their families with the costs, and an even larger number simply can’t afford the cost to stay alive, so they don’t. Can you imagine having to stop BEING ALIVE because it’s too expensive?”
All proceeds will go towards Eric’s treatment and care and will help raise awareness of ALS.
We are so grateful for everyone’s continued support.
Learn more about Eric and his Battle to #axeALS at his Facebook page, Team Stevens Nation.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/teamstevensnation/
Eric's Story:
A captain of the Cal Berkeley football team, professional football player for the St. Louis Rams, and now a Los Angeles City firefighter, Eric was getting married to the woman of his dreams, Amanda. They were excited to start a family and their new life together with their dog Duke.
But exactly one month after their wedding day, Eric was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 29. The diagnosis and subsequent education they received about the horrific disease was the worst news one could ever imagine.
There are currently only 2 approved and available treatments for ALS which have shown little to no effect on slowing the progression of the disease. Although there are multiple treatments that are going through Clinical Trials that show very promising results and will help slow the progression down, ALS patients have no access to them. The only way you can potentially get the treatment is if you're picked for a clinical trial, and even then there is a 50% chance you will get the placebo. There is NO reason why a person with a terminal diagnosis should receive placebo over the actual treatment. Another downside to these clinical trials is they are a year long process, and time is the one thing ALS patients don't have. Every single day without treatment is a day lost.
Given his strong determination and success in anything he puts his mind to, Eric has chosen to fight and advocate for getting drugs and treatments available to patients NOW. Eric's goal with the help of his family and friends, is to raise awareness for ALS and act now toward getting treatments available.
About ALS
When you are diagnosed with ALS you are forced to see the future before you and realize that all your dreams have vanished. That each day you must appreciate a basic skill before it has been taken from you. Life expectancy is 2-5 years and paralysis comes much sooner.
According to HuffPost.com, “ALS is a very expensive disease, costing patients an estimated $300,000 a year. The majority of patients bankrupt their families with the costs, and an even larger number simply can’t afford the cost to stay alive, so they don’t. Can you imagine having to stop BEING ALIVE because it’s too expensive?”
All proceeds will go towards Eric’s treatment and care and will help raise awareness of ALS.
We are so grateful for everyone’s continued support.
Learn more about Eric and his Battle to #axeALS at his Facebook page, Team Stevens Nation.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/teamstevensnation/
Organizer and beneficiary
Zach and Julie Ertz
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
Amanda Stevens
Beneficiary