Help Mark Fight ALS
Donation protected
A Young Family Man’s Lou Gehrig’s Disease Expenses – Help Mark Fight ALS
On February 27, 2018, my husband Mark Ianniello received the devastating news that he has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mark is 48 years-old, has three children ranging in age from 13 to 17, and is now unable to work to support his family.
A kind, intelligent, and gentle family man, Mark was a millwright for over 20years. Always in top physical shape, he rarely consumed alcohol and is a non-smoker. He’s an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He loved taking his family with him on hiking and canoeing trips to experience nature in all its glory while teaching them to cherish the natural world around them.
Now, suddenly, all of it has changed.
Ensuring Mark is comfortable will certainly mean high medical expenses. Furthermore, I am challenged to shoulder the costs of raising our three adolescent children, paying the mortgage, and managing our other financial responsibilities.
I graciously ask for your help.
What Is ALS?
As explained on the ALS Society of Canada’s website, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people. The brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles in Mark's body break down, he will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.
ALS is not contagious. There is no cure for ALS and few treatment options for the majority of people living with the disease. Approximately 80 per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis.
What Are the Costs?
On average, the economic burden an ALS diagnosis on a family member costs a family more than $30,000 (Canadian dollars) or higher. This estimate does not include the impacts the loss of income of a working adult has on a family.
These costs include mobility aids, medical, home modifications, and personal support care workers.
It also doesn’t cover the cost of new drugs that are available. Although some are not approved in Canada for clinical use, testing of one drug called Edaravone shows real promise. However, the initial cost to procure Edaravone is $10,000, and the expense to have it administered by a medical professional on a regular basis is estimated to be a minimum of $2,500 per month.
How Can You Help?
Please consider donating funds to Mark Ianniello's GoFundMe campaign. It doesn’t matter how much you contribute. All donations are much appreciated. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Nancy Ianniello
On February 27, 2018, my husband Mark Ianniello received the devastating news that he has Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Mark is 48 years-old, has three children ranging in age from 13 to 17, and is now unable to work to support his family.
A kind, intelligent, and gentle family man, Mark was a millwright for over 20years. Always in top physical shape, he rarely consumed alcohol and is a non-smoker. He’s an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. He loved taking his family with him on hiking and canoeing trips to experience nature in all its glory while teaching them to cherish the natural world around them.
Now, suddenly, all of it has changed.
Ensuring Mark is comfortable will certainly mean high medical expenses. Furthermore, I am challenged to shoulder the costs of raising our three adolescent children, paying the mortgage, and managing our other financial responsibilities.
I graciously ask for your help.
What Is ALS?
As explained on the ALS Society of Canada’s website, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS, or motor neuron disease) is a disease that gradually paralyzes people. The brain loses its ability to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. Over time, as the muscles in Mark's body break down, he will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe.
ALS is not contagious. There is no cure for ALS and few treatment options for the majority of people living with the disease. Approximately 80 per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis.
What Are the Costs?
On average, the economic burden an ALS diagnosis on a family member costs a family more than $30,000 (Canadian dollars) or higher. This estimate does not include the impacts the loss of income of a working adult has on a family.
These costs include mobility aids, medical, home modifications, and personal support care workers.
It also doesn’t cover the cost of new drugs that are available. Although some are not approved in Canada for clinical use, testing of one drug called Edaravone shows real promise. However, the initial cost to procure Edaravone is $10,000, and the expense to have it administered by a medical professional on a regular basis is estimated to be a minimum of $2,500 per month.
How Can You Help?
Please consider donating funds to Mark Ianniello's GoFundMe campaign. It doesn’t matter how much you contribute. All donations are much appreciated. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Nancy Ianniello
Organizer
Nancy Ianniello
Organizer
Shanty Bay, ON