Our names are Nichole, Erika, Greg, Richie, and Jullian. We are close friends of the Santos family and with their permission and humble gratitude, we are starting this fundraiser.

Last year, life for Nancilee and her family was traumatically upended when one of her sons was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS. The prognosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and, to our heartbreak, is terminal.

In March 2021, he began to experience weakness in his left arm. By that summer he started to become unsteady on his feet and began to fall regularly. Shortly after, he began having difficulty using his right arm and noticed he was losing muscle mass at an alarming rate. As the months went on, walking became more and more difficult for him as his legs began to atrophy, causing him to have to drag his feet. After almost a year of progressing symptoms, countless tests, and a copious amount of expensive doctor visits, her son was diagnosed with ALS in April of 2022.

The news was unfathomable and devastating beyond comprehension and since this diagnosis, his symptoms have progressed rapidly. He no longer has the use of most of his body and requires help with everyday basic activities. As you can imagine, the impact this has had on his life has been crippling, and while this tragedy has taken a severe toll on his quality of life, it has also taken a drastic toll on his financial situation and he has moved in with Nancilee.

Nancilee is now his primary caregiver and is giving her all to her son, making sure he is cared for and has everything he needs, however, she is elderly, has a full-time job, and has medical issues of her own. The concern for her health and well-being during this difficult time has now come to the forefront. The expense has also had a continual detrimental effect on her financially, causing her even more stress and worry than she already has. It is estimated that he will need approximately $200,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs to cover caregivers, equipment, medication, doctor visits, and anything else that will help maintain a quality of life where he can remain at home to enjoy time with his family and friends.

Two of the most immediate needs are a handicap-accessible van (estimated around 20k) so that he can be free to leave the apartment and travel, making memories with his loved ones while he still can, and a “Freedom Bed”. The bed (estimated at around 2k per month) can immensely improve his quality of life while essentially cutting caregiver and medical costs. It helps to prevent infections such as pneumonia and skin infections due to being immobile and helps the patient and family get a good night's sleep.

The goal is high, but the task is small and any amount that you can donate to this fund will not go unnoticed. All proceeds raised will go directly to Nancilee in hopes of purchasing a used van with the commitment of donating it back to the ALS community when it is no longer needed, as well as helping to purchase the bed (a link is provided above for more information). Additionally, our goal is to relieve some of the financial burdens of rent, doctor visits, prescription co-pays, caregiver fees, etc.

People come into our lives for so many different reasons. The Santos family came into ours when we were just kids and it has been a lifetime of memories made. Memories that we will hold dear to our hearts forever.

On behalf of the Santos family, we thank you with the humblest appreciation and gratitude for your love and support.