UPDATE for Vicki Paul VanZetta

UPDATE AS OF 4/6/22: Vicki’s Diagnosis – ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Please help Vicki to continue to fight ALS

 Vicki and James continue to be eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support you’ve shown over these past few months. 

We are now holding a Tricky Tray and Silent Auction to continue to help Vicki and James shoulder the huge financial burden moving forward as Vicki's disease progresses, especially medical needs that are not covered by insurance or Medicare such as home health aids, etc. Please join us for some light food and beverages as well as many baskets of goodies. Larger items will be held as a silent auction. We will also have a 50:50 drawing. All donations are tax deductible and receipts will be available.

When:  Saturday May 14th at 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Where: Cupsaw Lake Lodge,

          185 Cupsaw Drive

          Ringwood, NJ 07456

Please copy the Link into your web browser for it to work: https://bit.ly/3712aXw

THANK YOU again on behalf of Vicki and James.

UPDATE AS OF 3/8/22: Vicki’s Diagnosis – ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and Moving Forward

 

Help Vicki and James continue their battle 

 

First, Vicki and James are eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support you’ve shown these past few months. 

Unfortunately, last week they received the extremely difficult news that she’s been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. There is no cure for ALS yet. Needless to say, it’s been a lot to absorb.

Now the real battle begins; physically, emotionally, and financially.

Anyone who knows Vicki knows that she’s a fierce fighter, and James will continue to be by her side every step of the way. She will be undergoing various medical treatments, ongoing therapies (PT, OT, Speech, Respiratory) in-home care, and they are investigating clinical trials as well. We will continue to provide updates as she begins and continues her treatment plan.

ALS also comes with an overwhelming financial burden, We know that many of you who are receiving this update may have already been kind enough to donate previously. Any additional or new donations, no matter how large or small, will go a long way in easing their financial burden.. The average annual cost of care for an individual with ALS can be over $150,000 per year. Though health insurance and some government assistance will partially cover this, Vicki and James will be left to shoulder many immediate and ongoing expenses, such as:

·    Major home renovations for wheelchair accessibility

·    Insurance and out of pocket costs

·    Assistive technology and mobility aids (or adaptive equipment)

·    Medical equipment

·    In-home assistance

·    Loss of income from not working

·    Needs will change as the disease progresses

And we encourage you to share this GoFundMe page far and wide, on social media sites, with friends, family, any anyone else you feel comfortable with. The more people that see this, the better. And if any of you have ideas for separate fundraisers, please reach out to Debby Zimmerman via text @ [phone redacted].

ALS takes a huge mental, physical, emotional, and financial toll on patients and their families. And while there is currently no cure for ALS, that doesn’t mean that Vicki can't still live an amazing life with some help; and she won’t be giving up. Your ongoing support will be a constant reminder to Vicki and James that they are not alone in this fight. 

Finally, Vicki and James appreciate your many texts and messages. But it’s been difficult to respond quickly since they are trying to handle so many things coming at them at once. So for the next few weeks they are asking that you leave your comments and words of encouragement on this GoFundMe page, where Vicki and James can see them and respond to them in a centralized place. 

On behalf of Vicki and James, their family and friends, Vicki continues to be grateful for the outpouring of love and support.        

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart” 

For more info on ALS:

https://www.als.org/ 

https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/health-management/taking-on-als-an-emotional-and-financial-burden

https://www.ajmc.com/view/als-managed-care-considerations

PREVIOUSLY POSTED IN JANUARY 5, 2022 - PLEASE SEE ABOVE FOR MORE RECENT UPDATE

 Help Vicki with her undiagnosed illness

 

To know Vicki is to love her. She has a heart of gold and leaves a lasting smile on all who meet her. She magically brightens every heart and life that she touches. She has always been there for friends and family ………. now she needs our help!

 

In the past six months, Vicki’s once full and active life changed dramatically when she developed an undiagnosed illness, which has aggressively impacted her entire body, including her speech. Once an engaged early intervention specialist helping special needs children – she is no longer able to work and pursue her passion. As her symptoms have rapidly worsened, even simple things that we all take for granted - like walking, showering, dressing, getting out of bed, opening doors, and brushing her teeth have become painfully difficult. She now requires constant assistance and supervision in virtually every aspect of her daily life. Despite being seen by 12+ medical experts and undergoing comprehensive testing (with much more doctor visits, testing and treatment to come), there are still no answers.

 

Despite the unknown outlook, Vicki is fierce and will not give up. She overcame cancer in high school (New Milford High School) and several other medical challenges and is determined to conquer this illness as well. She can – with our support!

 

Vicki and James have always relied on both of their incomes to cover their fixed costs. Vicki has been unable to work since August and will be unable to work for the foreseeable future - thus, they are facing a heavy financial burden. Your kind donations will be used to cover medical bills, in-home medical care (PT, OT, etc.), home safety measures, adaptive living expenses and equipment, and many other necessary and related expenses she and James have been and will be facing. Your financial and emotional assistance can give Vicki and James peace of mind and allow them to take all necessary steps to ensure she wins this battle.

 

On behalf of Vicki and James, their family and friends, Vicki is grateful for the outpouring of love and support.

 

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart”