Jim Speck-A fellow Aggie in Need.
Donation protected
Hi Everyone, and again a BIG THANK YOU for support of our GFM page for Jim Speck and his family. I had a lovely conversation with BOTH Jim and Niese late last week and wanted to share some highlights with you. First and foremost, they are humbled and overjoyed at the incredible generosity and moral support provided by you. This is an EPIC case of EVERY donation matters and leads to a SIGNIFICANT impact!
Secondly, the Van has been a life changer for the Specks and their day to day lives. They can now take Jim to his doctor appointments and to grand children's events without having to transfer him from his wheel chair. The difference is profound and allows him to attend events he otherwise would not be able to, due to the complexity and difficulty of transfers and weight of a 350 pd wheelchair. Now he can roll right in and roll out of their van seamlessly.
Equally important, is that BOTH Jim and Niese had an enthusiasm in their voice and it was clear that our efforts had truly energized them in their fight against ALS. They are now connected in the ALS community and pursuing a Clinical Trial and a PMP program for Jim. Again, a BIG thank you to Everyone!
On a separate note, I have been asked in numerous private emails about what else people can do to help and what the "Real" goal is for the GFM page. So, I would like to share that with EVERYONE. Initially, when we built the GFM page, we were hoping to be able to fund the Van as it was an acute and immediate need. Thanks to all of you, we achieved that goal in 10 hours!
We also discussed what our Dream goal would be and we all felt that $50,000 was the objective! That amount would not only buy the Van, but also provide enough funds to support "part time" care giver support for the remainder of 2022. Thanks to all of you, what was once a dream, is now well within our sights!
SO, we are raising our goal for THE LAST TIME to our dream amount of $50,000 and 250 donors. So, how can you help?? Please spread the word! UC Davis AGGIES, Davis High, City of Davis, Boise State, Boise friends, and the ALS community, you have been amazing in your support, but there are still a lot of people who are unaware of our efforts. Please share our GFM page with your networks! I mentioned to Jim that if the Aggies could Winn 20 consecutive championships, that we could find a way to raise $50,000. Collectively, we can absolutely achieve this objective and the result would bring desperately needed caregiver support to a family that truly deserves and needs it.
My personal thanks for all of your support!
Paul
My fellow members of the proud Aggie Football Alumni,
Secondly, the Van has been a life changer for the Specks and their day to day lives. They can now take Jim to his doctor appointments and to grand children's events without having to transfer him from his wheel chair. The difference is profound and allows him to attend events he otherwise would not be able to, due to the complexity and difficulty of transfers and weight of a 350 pd wheelchair. Now he can roll right in and roll out of their van seamlessly.
Equally important, is that BOTH Jim and Niese had an enthusiasm in their voice and it was clear that our efforts had truly energized them in their fight against ALS. They are now connected in the ALS community and pursuing a Clinical Trial and a PMP program for Jim. Again, a BIG thank you to Everyone!
On a separate note, I have been asked in numerous private emails about what else people can do to help and what the "Real" goal is for the GFM page. So, I would like to share that with EVERYONE. Initially, when we built the GFM page, we were hoping to be able to fund the Van as it was an acute and immediate need. Thanks to all of you, we achieved that goal in 10 hours!
We also discussed what our Dream goal would be and we all felt that $50,000 was the objective! That amount would not only buy the Van, but also provide enough funds to support "part time" care giver support for the remainder of 2022. Thanks to all of you, what was once a dream, is now well within our sights!
SO, we are raising our goal for THE LAST TIME to our dream amount of $50,000 and 250 donors. So, how can you help?? Please spread the word! UC Davis AGGIES, Davis High, City of Davis, Boise State, Boise friends, and the ALS community, you have been amazing in your support, but there are still a lot of people who are unaware of our efforts. Please share our GFM page with your networks! I mentioned to Jim that if the Aggies could Winn 20 consecutive championships, that we could find a way to raise $50,000. Collectively, we can absolutely achieve this objective and the result would bring desperately needed caregiver support to a family that truly deserves and needs it.
My personal thanks for all of your support!
Paul
My fellow members of the proud Aggie Football Alumni,
We have an opportunity to help a friend and demonstrate our deep commitment to "Aggie Pride" in an effort OFF the gridiron. Jim Speck, our "forever" Aggie teammate and HOF QB, has recently been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). I can personally attest to the brutality of this disease, as my sweet wife Nancy has ALS.
As many of you know, ALS is a motor neuron disease where the motor neurons ultimately die, and break the connection from the brain to the muscles in the body. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. Ultimately, this leads to people losing the ability to speak, eat, move and breathe.
Jim is experiencing many of these symptoms and is now using a wheelchair. Unfortunately, the expenses associated with this disease can be exorbitant, and medical plans do not cover all of the equipment, caregiving, and tools needed to function in this limited capacity.
Jim and his family have found a used handicap van, required to travel to Doctor's appointments, therapy sessions, and clinical trial appointments. Currently, they have no way for Jim to travel from his home in the wheelchair. Fellow AG's, our help is needed immediately, as their financial resources are limited.
It's time for us to step up, and I want to Challenge all of us as members of the Cal Aggie Football Family to support our "brother" in a severe time of need. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to fund the purchase of the Van and allow the Specks to cover other critical expenditures. So Aggie Teammates from the '50s, 60's, 70"s, 80"s, 90's and 2000's-- we need 100 Aggies to donate $100 each, and we meet this goal. Call it the 100 x 100 CHALLENGE. Having 100 Aggies contribute would send a HUGE sign of love and support to Jim, giving him and his family emotional strength to fight this awful disease and provide the necessary funds. For those who can contribute more, please do so. It would only be goodness to blow this number away like we did opponents on our way to 20 consecutive Championships! (Additional funds will e used for other medical needs)
Please remember:
ON THE FIELD, WE FELT THAT BEING GOOD WAS NEVER GOOD ENOUGH-WE HAD TO BE GREAT!
AS AGGIES, THAT WAS, AND IS, OUR DNA. NOW, IT'S TIME TO BE GREAT AGAIN. LET'S SUPPORT OUR FRIEND AND ONE OF THE TRUE AGGIE GREATS-JIM SPECK.
I sincerely appreciate your support and STRONGLY encourage you to write a comment to Jim on our page. It will provide a significant uplifting impact to the ENTIRE family.
Finally, please share this post with other members of our Aggie Family. Let's go viral and shatter our goal!
God Bless,
pas
Organizer and beneficiary
Paul Sallaberry
Organizer
Menlo Park, CA
Niese Speck
Beneficiary