Hello Friends and Family of Sean Friart! My name is Julie Ward, and my family has been friends and neighbors of the Friarts since we moved to Seattle in 2008.

As you know, Sean is a great guy... someone who loves and protects his family, a hard worker, grill master, horror movie and board game fan... just an all-around amazing human. :)

About 3 years ago, Sean began to experience loss of movement and feeling in his right hand and about 2 years ago was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), which is a progressive neurological disorder with no found cure. He has an excellent team of physicians at the University of Washington and has been on many medication regimens to slow down the progression of the disease. However, it continues to impact Sean and his family daily, making it difficult for him to stand or sit for long periods of time and go about activities without extreme fatigue and weakness.

He was just made aware of a new treatment for ALS using hyperthermia therapy that is in experimental stages. So far, it has shown great promise (with no side effects) for either varying degrees of relief of neurological symptoms, and in one case has completely reversed the disease. While this treatment is currently being followed by the FDA, there are many more years of study before approval and therefore available insurance coverage. To clarify, until this treatment is approved by the FDA (clinical trials can take years), insurance will not cover it so patients have to pay out of pocket. At this point, Sean does not have years to wait. It is his hope to begin planning this trip in the first quarter of 2026.

Unfortunately, without insurance, this treatment would cost $45,000 (plus travel to the treatment site in Florida for Sean and a companion).

So, here is my ask for you all: would you be able to help cover this expense for this amazing family? It is completely out of their budget not knowing how long Sean will be able to work, Cynthia managing one child with newly diagnosed Type I diabetes (which is a 24/7 job and comes along with many extra expenses), and the other child heading to college next fall.

Thank you so much, this support would be life-changing.