As many of you know, Ernie has been battling Degos Disease for the past eight years. Since Degos Disease is such a rare disease, Ernie’s journey throughout the past eight years has truly made him a pioneer in the treatment of this disease. During these eight years, Ernie has had many ups and downs. With an immeasurable amount of faith, Ernie has never given up this tremendous battle; he has truly been a beacon of hope and light for others diagnosed with Degos and other rare diseases. Even with this diagnosis, Ernie has received a bachelor’s degree and has worked full-time as a medical assistant. He was recently accepted into nursing school, and he looks forward to making a difference in many lives. Ernie’s goal is to become a nurse practitioner and support medical and emotional care to patients. Ernie’s love of God, his family and friends has been the constant foundation of his life. Recently, Ernie had open-heart surgery and has been in the hospital for the past 6 weeks. We are asking friends and family throughout the world to join together to help raise money for Ernie and his family.