Colleen Newsome's battle with ALS

A few weeks ago, our 50 year old sister, Colleen Newsome received some of the worst news you can possibly imagine, she has been diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease). For those that are not aware of what ALS is, it is a fast-progressing neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. This eventually results in the loss of the ability to walk, the use of hands, speech, ability to swallow and eventually the loss of the ability to breath. People who are diagnosed with ALS get the grim news of having a survival rate of approximately 2 to 5 years.

Colleen is a single mother who has sole custody of her 3 children. At the present time, she is renting a 2 bedroom apartment in Point Pleasant Boro. Colleen sleeps on the sofa so her children can have their own rooms. Sean has found work, Caitlin is attending college and Connor is going to be a senior at Point Pleasant Boro High School where he is on the basketball team. Her 3 children Sean, Caitlin and Connor have made huge strides despite the personal obstacles they have faced.

Having no life insurance, personal savings, real estate or other financial resources, my sisters Sharon Ogilivie and Gail Wantroba and the only brother Guy Lassen are creating this Gofundme to provide the future care that will be needed to help with Colleen’s medical expenses. As with most devastating diseases, the expenses related to this disease are great, and include things like medical bills for different types of doctors; medical devices, such as leg braces and a custom wheelchair. Additionally, she will also need devices for daily living, such as ramps to get in and out of the house and special speech-to-text software to aid her in continuing to use a computer. We would like to try to take some of the stress off Colleen’s family and get some of these expenses covered so she can continue to provide her children with a normal life filled with love and support, along with lasting memories.  

If any money is left over, it will be used for the children's living expenses, education and required therapy. We need to raise enough money that will help Colleen's children as they forge forward into young adulthood. All money raised will be for the necessities of life: College, rent, food, transportation, healthcare, etc. Her 1st priority is that her children will be able to get through college to enable them to have a future so they can hopefully provide for themselves.

Speaking for my sister Colleen Newsome, my entire family thanks you for your support, love and prayers.