Please help support our dear friend Doreen’s recent ALS diagnosis!

Ialene Proctor and Peggy Ingle are organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Doreen Banks. All donations will go directly into an account established by Doreen.

Doreen, Peggy, and I have been best friends for more than 40 years. Doreen is a daughter, sister, and friend to everyone that she meets. Doreen and her husband of 30 years separated a few months before her diagnosis and are in the process of getting a divorce. Doreen was unaware that she had ALS when she started having symptoms 4 years ago. Her first symptom was difficulty swallowing when she ate or drank. Doreen was only 58 years old at the time. Her routine doctor appointments and blood work did not uncover any significant concerns; however, her symptoms continued to get worse. It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that Doreen was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a cruel and progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which impacts the muscles and eventually causing the inability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, eat, drink, and breathe. As Doreen’s symptoms progress, she will be unable to communicate; however, she will be fully aware of her surroundings and what is happening to her. While some people do live longer, ALS is a progressive disease and the average survival rate is three years. Doreen is doing all that she can to beat the odds.

Doreen graduated from Andover High School in Glen Burnie, Maryland in 1980 and she worked at three different long term jobs over the years that she truly loved. She met many friends through the years and made life long friendships. She loves her current job and is doing her best to work as long as she can; however, she is needing to take time off for doctor appointments and medical test/procedures. Doreen only gets paid when she works; therefore her salary is reduced any time she has to take off. Although Doreen is tired, she is trying as hard as she can to work as long as possible. There will come a time as her illness progresses, that she will no longer be able to work.

It is important for me to share that due to ALS, Doreen’s ability to swallow, eat or drink is limited, she has lost 70lbs, she is experiencing some muscle weakness, and one of her vocal chords is no longer functioning. Please pray that Doreen does not lose her 2nd vocal chord. The loss of both vocal chords would cause significant difficulty breathing. Doreen recently got a feeding tube to help her get much needed nutrients and medicine. We are hopeful that this will help Doreen be less tired, allow her to continue to work, and allow her to enjoy the the activities that she loves to do with those that she loves.

Doreen would like to stay in her home as long as possible and like so many of us, she still has things that she wants to do and see before it’s to late. Doreen is not one to ask for help; however, those closest to her see her overwhelming daily struggle and stress financially. She has several doctor appointments and test resulting in lost pay, mounting medical bills, prescriptions, and lost work hours. In addition, there are many medical devices and additional assistance that ALS patients require that can assist them in their daily lives. Some are medically necessary. It is my hope that, with everyone’s assistance, we can help ensure that Doreen has whatever she needs to get through the remaining time she has left. ALS patients often require medical devices such as mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, transfer-boards, grab bars, ramps, speech generating devices, bathroom equipment, breathing machines, ventilators, suction equipment, etc). They also require therapeutic care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and aide assistants.

We repeatedly say Doreen’s name in this request because it is our hope that everyone will think about her daily and keep her in their daily prayers and hearts forever! I can’t imagine what it must be like to hear that you have ALS and then be told, there is nothing that can be done to fight it because there currently is no cure at this time! Doreen has faced her diagnosis with strength and grace. She continues to worry about others, tries to find some joy and peace as she maneuvers through her days. She is doing all that she can to keep living for as long as she can! Our hope is to raise funds that not only help her medically and financially with day to day expenses; but also to let her live life to the fullest by doing things that make her smile and laugh.

As Maya Angelou said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Together, we can help Doreen get through this as comfortably as possible and allow her to focus on what really matters – living her life to the best of her ability and spending time with her family and friends! Please consider donating to Doreen Bank’s ALS fund and please share her story on social media platforms with family, friends, friends of friends, and co-workers.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support.

Ialene and Peggy