Hello Everyone, my name is Derek Bilger and I have Pompe Disease. I was diagnosed with this disease in July of 2022. Pompe Disease is a rare genetic disease that affects the muscular skeleton and certain organs of the body including the heart and respiratory system. What causes that to happen, is my body doesn't turn the sugar that I intake, into energy. Therefore it remains in my system and becomes harmful to my body. There is no cure for pompe disease, but there is a treatment. The treatment comes as an intravenous infusion that I have to get every 2 weeks for the rest of my life. This treatment has made me really sick, it was much worse in the beginning, I now take a nausea pill everyday to keep the sickness away(sometimes its not enough). I have tried to work full time, as I have went through this treatment for the last 6 months. I have done so with missing some work here and there. Other hurdles have come along with this disease. I know that there will be more, but I had to make a decision that I was hoping was going to be much further down the road. I am filing for disability and stepping away from my job to focus on my health. There are so many uncertainties yet to come and unfortunately these treatments are not cheap, but thankful for insurance. The state department of health helps out with some of the costs, but I think we all know they are limited on what they can give. Laurel and all my friends and family have been so helpful through this process with the prayers and encouraging texts that I get, I can't thank you enough. This fundraiser is to help Laurel and I through this difficult time. It's to help with Doctor visits, infusions, treatments and other at home supplies or even to pay a light bill. We are asking to give if you can, any donation, prayer, phone call or text is appreciated. Thank you so much. Love Derek