Help Karl and his family in their battle with ALS

In January 2016, Karl Runkle was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS, a devastating diagnosis for anyone to hear. With ALS you are told you will likely have two to five years to live, and during that time your ability to walk, use your hands, speak, and breathe will slip away. There is no cure. Only 51 at the time of diagnosis, Karl, his wife Lisa, and their sons Blake and Evan have fought hard against this monstrous disease, and they have been able to keep Karl at home except for a few brief periods.

Now at five and a half years from diagnosis, Karl is unable to move any of his body, he is largely confined to bed, and he can breathe only with assistance. He requires everything to be done for him, and his wife and son have provided most of that care especially since COVID made it difficult to bring in even part-time health aides. The emotional and physical challenges of this battle have taken their toll on Karl but also on his family. Lisa has faced her own medical problems, the most recent and debilitating being a herniated disc in her back which means she can no longer do the bending and lifting required to care for her husband.

Many of Karl’s friends and family have already helped in countless ways, but ALS is relentless, and the family has reached the point where they absolutely need more care resources, whether at home or in a care facility or some combination of these. Karl requires total care, and his family simply cannot afford these huge and growing expenses.

Karl and Lisa deeply appreciate everything that so many people have already done to support them, but with care expenses exploding, they are in desperate need of more help as soon as possible. Please donate what you can to help Karl and Lisa on this difficult journey. All donations will go toward Karl’s treatment and care and to ensure that his family can cover the various and mounting costs associated with ALS treatment.