R&L Smith Plumbing Presents, Hope for Harlen, Standing Together Against a One in a Million Diagnosis

At R&L Smith Plumbing we talk a lot about teamwork, loyalty and looking after our own. Today that means standing beside one of our long serving team members and his family in a very real and practical way. Rylan Witmer has been part of the R&L Smith family for more than ten years and many of our clients and partners will know him well. His young son Harlen has been diagnosed with an extremely rare and life limiting condition called H ABC Leukodystrophy, a disorder that affects the white matter of the brain and slowly takes away the simple things most of us take for granted. This condition is so rare that very few children worldwide are diagnosed with it. There is currently no known cure and no established treatment pathway.

In the middle of this unimaginable news Rylan and his family are showing enormous courage. Their focus is simple and powerful, to give Harlen the happiest, most comfortable and love filled life they possibly can. They are doing everything they can to make memories, to manage his care and to keep their family strong while navigating a medical journey that very few families will ever have to face.

We are launching Hope for Harlen to stand alongside them. One hundred percent of funds raised will go directly toward Harlen’s medical needs and ongoing care, as well as supporting research into Leukodystrophy in the hope of better options for children like Harlen in the future. Every contribution, whether large or small, will help ease the financial pressure on this family so they can focus on what matters most, time with their beautiful boy.

If you are in a position to give, please do. If you cannot donate right now, you can still help by sharing this page and keeping Rylan, Harlen and their family in your thoughts and conversations. On behalf of everyone at R&L Smith Plumbing, thank you for standing with Harlen and helping surround this family with the strength, care, and community they need for the road ahead.