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A call to help someone who has given us all so much
Our dear friend Rhonda Albrecht was recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease), a lethal disease with no known cure. The average lifespan for those suffering with this illness is between 2-5 years. The purpose of this funding effort is to help Rhonda achieve the quality of life and care she deserves in her limited remaining time.
Rhonda has always been our firecracker. As a seasoned professional in the photonics industry, she worked at the speed of light. You could always recognize the sound of Rhonda’s footsteps plowing through the halls at Coherent, or the smart-mouth comments she would make to herself while working. She had an infectious laugh that sometimes had a snort as she would share silly stories of her son, Cory, when he was a little boy. Rhonda also cared for her 82-year old mother, Joanne, and was an avid horseback rider. She spent every free moment possible at the stable with her beautiful, albeit sassy girl, Gypsy.
Rhonda’s difficulties started in May, 2014, with leg muscle spasms and stiffness, followed by a fall. Then another fall. Rhonda attributed the falls to her existing back problems and sought physical therapy while continuing with her normal life. She began having difficulties breathing and swallowing which caused choking, and then shortly thereafter she started to have trouble with her speech.
After a series of tests, Rhonda received the diagnosis of ALS. Rhonda began using a walking stick to assit with her mobility, and then a walker. During one of Rhonda’s tests, it was discovered she had a mass on the left lobe of her thyroid. She had this removed in February, 2015, in the hopes that it would help alleviate some of her breathing and speech problems.
In 11 months, this disease has destroyed Rhonda’s ability to walk and talk; she is no longer able to work, or ride and care for her horse. Rhonda’s 82-year old mother, Joanne, has taken on the bulk of the responsibilities for Rhonda’s care. Rhonda has been through so much and her only wish is to spend her remaining years with her son in Arizona. She currently lives in California, and is in the process of selling her home to relocate. In addition to the moving costs, she is paying for her medical expenses, and will continue to have increasing expenses as she progresses further into this disease.
Rhonda has been a shining star in the photonics industry for many years and we all love her dearly. Please help Rhonda achieve the quality of life she deserves by helping us raise $100,000 for a portion of Rhonda’s out-of-pocket annual medical expenses.
Annual Medical Expenses
· Physician services: $40,000
· Medications to help improve the quality of her life: $30,000
· Convalescent care: $48,000
· Physical, occupational and speech therapy: $36,000
· Equipment to help her with her respiration and mobility: $20,000
Annual Grand Total: $174,000
If you would like to help but are unable to do so, please sign this petition to allow ALS patients earlier access to experimental medicines that might help improve or extend their life. Click to sign the petition.
We thank you for your support. God bless!
Our dear friend Rhonda Albrecht was recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease), a lethal disease with no known cure. The average lifespan for those suffering with this illness is between 2-5 years. The purpose of this funding effort is to help Rhonda achieve the quality of life and care she deserves in her limited remaining time.
Rhonda has always been our firecracker. As a seasoned professional in the photonics industry, she worked at the speed of light. You could always recognize the sound of Rhonda’s footsteps plowing through the halls at Coherent, or the smart-mouth comments she would make to herself while working. She had an infectious laugh that sometimes had a snort as she would share silly stories of her son, Cory, when he was a little boy. Rhonda also cared for her 82-year old mother, Joanne, and was an avid horseback rider. She spent every free moment possible at the stable with her beautiful, albeit sassy girl, Gypsy.
Rhonda’s difficulties started in May, 2014, with leg muscle spasms and stiffness, followed by a fall. Then another fall. Rhonda attributed the falls to her existing back problems and sought physical therapy while continuing with her normal life. She began having difficulties breathing and swallowing which caused choking, and then shortly thereafter she started to have trouble with her speech.
After a series of tests, Rhonda received the diagnosis of ALS. Rhonda began using a walking stick to assit with her mobility, and then a walker. During one of Rhonda’s tests, it was discovered she had a mass on the left lobe of her thyroid. She had this removed in February, 2015, in the hopes that it would help alleviate some of her breathing and speech problems.
In 11 months, this disease has destroyed Rhonda’s ability to walk and talk; she is no longer able to work, or ride and care for her horse. Rhonda’s 82-year old mother, Joanne, has taken on the bulk of the responsibilities for Rhonda’s care. Rhonda has been through so much and her only wish is to spend her remaining years with her son in Arizona. She currently lives in California, and is in the process of selling her home to relocate. In addition to the moving costs, she is paying for her medical expenses, and will continue to have increasing expenses as she progresses further into this disease.
Rhonda has been a shining star in the photonics industry for many years and we all love her dearly. Please help Rhonda achieve the quality of life she deserves by helping us raise $100,000 for a portion of Rhonda’s out-of-pocket annual medical expenses.
Annual Medical Expenses
· Physician services: $40,000
· Medications to help improve the quality of her life: $30,000
· Convalescent care: $48,000
· Physical, occupational and speech therapy: $36,000
· Equipment to help her with her respiration and mobility: $20,000
Annual Grand Total: $174,000
If you would like to help but are unable to do so, please sign this petition to allow ALS patients earlier access to experimental medicines that might help improve or extend their life. Click to sign the petition.
We thank you for your support. God bless!
Organizer and beneficiary
Rhonda Albrecht
Beneficiary