Help Jim Waldin in His Battle with ALS

Hi, My name is Kim Fario and I'm fundraising for my brother James Waldin. I'm contacting you today on behalf of my brother James (Jim) Waldin. Jim was diagnosed with ALS at the beginning of March 2024. ALS, (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) aka Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Jim is a Loving Father to his son Jeffery and husband to his wife Denise. Jim is a small business owner of Scissor and Comb with customers that he has been serving as their barber/stylist for over 47 years. Jim has also been marching with the mummers since he was 12 years old. Jim started his journey with the Frangler String Band, and many years later, he joined the Ferko String Band where he is currently a Non-active playing member.

The symptoms began to show early 2022-2023. After an MRI, it was determined that Jim had compression on his spinal cord at the base of his neck. He then started to flop his foot, losing his balance. Last year during the 2023 Mummers parade, he started to trip (flop foot) and had weakness in his legs. I remember that day so clearly, sitting on the couch with Jim’s wife Denise watching the parade. Jim called right before the judge's stand and said with a shakey voice and tears in his eyes that he was sitting in the bus, and pulled himself out of the parade. Jim feared that he would risk falling in front of the judges, and he could not take a chance for his Ferko brothers. This was the first time Jim had not marched in the mummer's parade that he loved so dearly in over 58 years!

Many tests, doctor visits, and opinions have occurred over the last 6 months. It wasn’t until March 2024 that Jim was able to be seen at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia where he was admitted for further testing after a doctor's appointment. The doctor admitted him to Penn Hospital for testing that day. The following morning as he waited with his wife, the doctor came into the room to review the findings of his second EMG. Jim was diagnosed with ALS. This was not what Jim, Denise, or any of us wanted to hear.

Any amount that you could give would be grateful and appreciated. It will make Jim’s challenges more accessible and give him some comfort. We ask that you share this post to get the word out to Jim’s friends, the Mummers Association, and any other organization you feel can support us with this cause. I would like to take this time to Thank you for your donation, prayers, and positive thoughts.

Thank you

Kimberly - Jim’s sister