This winter, Dean was diagnosed with  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gerhrig’s Disease.  ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes muscle weakness and slowly shuts down the body.  It’s arguably the scariest medical diagnosis anyone could be given.   As of right now, ALS has no known cure.  Dean’s diagnosis has proven to be life changing for him and those around him.  These circumstances are especially devastating for his wife, Karen, and his collegiate daughter, Sonja.

Up until this winter, Dean had been the poster of health.   For over 14 years Dean has worked as a full time director, fitness instructor and  personal trainer at the YMCA in Wilmar, becoming respected and admired by those around him.  Dean’s passions include family, friends, running, theater, and the outdoors, just to name a few.  Dean is a proud veteran who served our country in uniform for 20 years, retiring with the rank of First Sergeant.  Dean has always put those around him first, but now he’ll have to rely on his friends and family moving forward.  Many have asked Dean what they can do to help.  Your financial contributions will be used to help support the Madsen  family over the next few months as they make the ‘life adjustments’ necessary to take on this challenge: making his home accessible, gaining access to a motorized chair and finding a way to pay for the medical bills burdening his family.  Additionally, he is seeking access to trials and treatments that have shown success, but are not yet FDA approved, thus not covered by insurance.  Our daily prayers go out to Dean and family.  We all love you and have your back. 

Hebrews 12:1  -  Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.