Vance Robinson is that remarkable kind of guy who makes, and keeps, friends wherever he goes. He grew up in Santa Barbara, CA playing little league baseball and having a great childhood. We are Vance’s Army, friends who are raising funds to purchase a SureHands Lift System so our friend can continue to live independently in his home. The lift system costs $20,000 with installation.

In 2010, Vance was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) which is a very rare (fewer than 5000 in USA) progressive muscle weakness disorder with no cure. Over the last 10 years, Vance’s needs have changed because his disease has been progressing. He went from first using a cane in 2012, to a walker in 2015, and has been using a power wheelchair since 2021.

Since 2017, Vance has chosen to use his time, gifts and talents combined with his love of baseball to create a foundation called Vee Rob’s Myositis Awareness First Pitch Campaign. Although he was losing his own mobility, Vance chose to focus his energy on raising funds and awareness by throwing out a first pitch for Myositis diseases. He created wristbands, t-shirts, and educates high school and college baseball organizations about Myositis. One year he specifically focused on the children diagnosed with Juvenile Myositis #cureJM.

Through his First Pitch Campaigns, Vance has worked with several college baseball teams including Stanford, Cal Poly, UCSB, San Diego State, Pepperdine, USC, UCLA, and Westmont along with the Santa Barbara Foresters, high school teams and the local Goleta Valley South Little League - which was Vance’s childhood league. Check out Vance’s Instagram @vrobb805

Vance is a poignant instrument of generosity, positivity, and compassion as he helps focus attention on Myositis and rare diseases while hoping someday there will be a cure. Vance has inspired and encouraged many people who have watched him throw out a first pitch, including one UCLA coach who said, “You threw that pitch for my son.”

Vance lives alone and rarely asks for things. In this case, he simply wants to safely use his shower facilities. Unfortunately, Vance’s disease has reached the stage where he needs a lift installed in his rented home so that he can continue to function independently. We are hoping your generosity will raise funds beyond his current needs so we can continue to help him with future living or medical needs that arise. Amazing friends have come along side Vance, one friend accompanied him to doctors as he was being diagnosed, another friend provided yoga therapy, then she chose to become his home care provider and has even made Vance an honorary “Uncle” to her adorable daughters.

Because his disease is rare, there is little support in the form of organizations, foundations, patient support, advocacy, or funding. Any funds donated here that go beyond Vance’s needs will be donated to The Myositis Association (TMA).

Vance doesn’t have the strength to throw as he used to, but he continues to have the strength to pursue his mission of being positive despite this devastating disease. Vance has been featured on Santa Barbara’s local news broadcasts, and he was featured on Good Morning America’s Website. The world can be changed for good through one person and Vance has already accomplished much good in the world. Now, he needs our help. Thank you for helping lift up this one amazing person.