Our mother, Luana, was just recently diagnosed with the life-threatening disease ALS. She started with minimal symptoms a few years ago, which wasn’t thought of much. Her symptoms worsened with slightly slurred speech and after months, it turned into a mild version of drop foot and increased fatigue. She started looking for answers and was told by a handful of neurosurgeons that her symptoms had to do with a 30 year old subarachnoid cyst that was pushing on her brain with an outdated shunt. After two unsuccessful surgeries to fix the shunt, her symptoms continued to worsen. This past year we reached out to more neurologists for additional opinions as we were desperate for answers.

Finally, just a few weeks ago, our mother was able to get into USC and have one of the best doctors take a look at her file. That is when they confirmed that she has ALS. That diagnosis was the most devastating and gut-wrenching news to our family. Having ALS isn’t a matter of if you will pass, but when. With this information, we’ve decided to start looking into other options to slow the progression and hopefully lengthen her lifespan.

As of right now she is not able to drive, talk very clearly, uses a cane and walker to walk, and is very fatigued easily.

She will be starting Stem Cell therapy in January or February, all while taking prescribed medications, physical and speech therapy, ongoing appointments and treatments with holistic approaches and more to help with this disease! Due to our mother unable to function very well, she is not able to sustain or generate income. Her treatments and medication cost a significant amount, (stem cell therapy is $30,000 in itself) so we are asking for the help of our family, friends and community. We are hoping to give our mom at least a year's relief of bills to focus on her health and get on top of this disease so she doesn’t have to worry about living expenses or being able to afford her treatments.

God is good and so is our community! Everyone that knows our mom from the past and present knows what an amazing, strong, fun loving, giving Christian woman she is! She was and is still the light and spirit of our hometown. She is not going down without a fight.

In her own words “I am not giving up and I will do anything. I will be around to watch my grandchildren grow up and my children get married.”

Thank you all with the support for our mother. We are beyond grateful ❤️.

Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise".

-Danielle, Tiffany & James