Project Eric - Help Eric and his Battle with ALS

This fundraiser is for my coworker, but most importantly, my friend, Eric Huet.

If you spent even five minutes with Eric, your life would immediately get brighter. He is one of those people who just radiates a glow that everyone needs close to them, and there isn't anything that Eric wouldn't do for anyone.

Now, Eric needs us.

Eric Huet was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS for short, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) in July of 2019.

Made popular by the "ice bucket challenge" in 2014, the average life expectancy from diagnosis is three to five years, with rapidly deteriorating motor neurons causing severe muscle atrophy, loss of speech, compromised ability to eat without intervention, and ultimately death due to severely compromised ability to breathe without assistance. Aside from two minimally effective drugs, there are no treatments for this disease.

With the unfortunate progression of this illness, Eric was unable to continue his job that supported his livelihood. He has had to become increasingly dependent on loved ones for increased care, and unfortunately, the need is expected to grow.

Eric has his eye on various clinical trials and treatments. Many clinical trials and studies are happening, but the most significant challenge faced in finding new treatments and therapies, outside of getting them approved by governmental organizations, is the speed at which the disease progresses. Oftentimes trial participants do not survive long enough to signal meaningful data on the efficacy of treatments. A specific treatment named "Amylyx" is on the docket for FDA approval in the United States in September, however many cannot wait that long.

Pressure has been put on elected officials from the House of Representatives, all the way up to the Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, to urge the FDA to prioritize a review for approval of this possible monumentally effective treatment.

WGRZ, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo, New York recently featured Eric's Story earlier this month (in the above video).

We need to help Eric now. This is why we are here.

This fundraiser intends to raise awareness about the ALS condition, the treatments and lifestyles surrounding it, and to engage alternative approaches so that Eric can contribute his experience and learnings toward possible viable therapies and, with any luck, benefit from them.

I can say with absolute confidence that Eric will appreciate anyone and everyone who donates even a penny to his cause. Talking with him, he said that he knows that his existence is going to be an immense strain on his loved ones and he does not want it to be a cause of stress for anyone as much as possible.

Thank you for anything can give, and everything you gave.