Help Marlene Through ALS

Dear Supporters,

It is with a heavy heart that we have started this gofundme page to help Marlene through her recent ALS diagnosis. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is a progressive nervous system disease. The nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord end up deteriorating and dying, which causes a lack of communication with the muscles. Eventually causing a full body paralysis leading to death.

She was unfortunately diagnosed late in her battle with ALS after half a year of tests, MRI'S, and a multitude of doctors, and specialists. She is now being supported by a ventilator as she can no longer breathe on her own. She was admitted to the ER last week and will indefinitely be bed bound for the rest of her life.

She is currently hospitalized at Emory University Hospital where they have taken excellent care of her. However, this is not a permanent facility as she doesn't have insurance. She will soon need to either go to a facility or home with her family.

Being diagnosed at these late stages of the disease has caused her and her family little to no time to plan and get the support that they need. We only wish to make the rest of the time she has left as comfortable as possible. Due to her lack of insurance, finding or even paying for her to stay at a facility is nearly impossible to her family without your help. She has 3 children Brian (27), Melani (17) and Melina (14). Brian is the family's sole financial support. The family unfortunately does not count on the support of their father as he was deported 4 years ago.

Every donation will go towards Marlene's care, equipment, and stay at a facility. There is also the option to go home where she would require a nurse to care for her 24 hours a day. Either way is a very expensive path to take. The average out of pocket cost for care for someone with this disease is 125,000-$200,000. Her condition and stage of the disease is too laborious and requires professional care for her family to do alone.

We ask that any supporter may help her and her family in being able to pay for these needs.