Support for Brian's Fight Against ALS

On Tuesday, October 8, 2019, two days before his 38th birthday, Brian Foderaro received a devastating diagnosis. He was told that he has ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). ALS is a degenerative disorder that causes the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles, leading to paralysis of the entire body. Sadly, there is no cure and no effective treatments. Life expectancy is only two to five years.

This devastating news could make it easy for Brian to crumble beneath the weight of such a grim prognosis. But rather than surrendering to this disease, Brian is reacting courageously. He immediately stated that his goal would be to thrive and fight his battle for longevity! His main inspiration is so that he can spend more years with his five-year-old son, Logan, and his three-year-old daughter, Elena.

Brian is determined to stay positive while trying to live with a continued purpose as productively and independently as possible. He is a fighter who is fully prepared to go wherever he needs to go and do whatever he needs to do for the opportunity to live longer. He has the hope that the medical research being done today will result in finding a treatment that will slow down, stop, or fully reverse the progression of his condition.

Brian investigated and sought treatments that will give him the chance to aggressively fight this dreaded disease. As a result, Brian was fortunate to be asked to participate in a phase 3 trial for an experimental stem cell treatment. Presently, the treatment is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can only be provided in research studies. The goal of this study is to determine if the treatment is effective in decreasing the rate of disease progression. Based on results from previous successful trials, it seems to offer hope to sufferers of ALS. 

It’s Brian’s hope that by participating in the trial, he will experience an improvement in his condition. Also, in the months following the study, he hopes that the FDA will approve the experimental treatment, allowing both him and other patients the chance to extend their lives long enough for a cure to be developed. 

Participating in the trial, preparing for the future stages of the disease, and requiring extensive medical care undoubtedly will cause a hefty financial burden on Brian and his family. To participate in the study, Brian will travel to the University of California, Irvine ALS Clinic for a total of 14 visits that he will be required to make over the next 12 months. There will be substantial cost affiliated with traveling to California 14 times in a year while still having to pay the mortgage and regular monthly bills. This is the reality that this family will have to deal with.  

Brian will begin to feel overwhelmed by the substantial financial burden that his life-extending treatment will cost him. But his faith and spirit are bolstered by the statements of support that he is receiving from family members and friends. He is on the right path. 

Now it’s up to us to make sure he can keep his focus on the path ahead and not on any financial burden. Let’s help make sure that money isn’t a deciding factor that prevents Brian from being able to receive the care and services that he is going to need — today and in the months and years ahead. 

Please support Brian during his battle over ALS for longevity and a better quality of life.  Logan and Elena will greatly appreciate any help you can give knowing that their father is receiving good care and the best possible shot at overcoming this cruel and terrible disease.  

Thank you very much for your help and support!