Brandon Hammons and his precious family are in need of our help during this very heart breaking time.

58-year-old Brandon, resident of Amite, Louisiana, was recently diagnosed with a rare and terminal neurological disease. Brandon and his wife, Tanya, have been married for 31 years and share three wonderful daughters, Cannan, Banner, and Gyvan. Brandon is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend, known for his love, kindness, and generosity. His warmth is felt by everyone he meets, whether it’s in church, at the grocery store, or on the softball field. Brandon has a unique way of making connections and nurturing friendships that last a lifetime, often reaching out just to remind people how much he cares.

Brandon’s faith in Jesus, his passion for LSU football, eclectic taste in music, fun collection of socks, and his loud cheers at his daughters’ softball games reflect in the vibrant, caring man he is. He’s an honest and hardworking small business owner and the man you can always count on.

About six weeks ago, Brandon started showing unusual and worrisome behavior and the family admitted him to their local hospital on October 15th. Within days, his cognitive function declined further and without clear answers, he was transferred to Ochsner’s Neurological Center for more in-depth treatment.

Within two weeks, Brandon lost the ability to walk unassisted, his speech slurred, tremors developed, and he struggled with fine motor skills. Soon after, he began experiencing seizures.

After nearly a month in the hospital, extensive tests, and the dedicated support of medical staff, Brandon’s condition was ultimately diagnosed as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). This rare, aggressive neurological disease attacks the brain, progressively shutting down essential functions. CJD is incurable and has a 100% fatality rate.

With heavy hearts, the Hammons family decided to bring Brandon home, where he is now receiving hospice care. Their goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible, surrounding him with love, family, friends, and unwavering faith. True to his giving spirit, Brandon has chosen to donate his brain to the CJD Foundation, contributing to critical research that may one day lead to a cure, as well as support for future families who may endure this devastating disease.

Brandon’s illness has brought a profound financial burden upon his family. Tanya, a local schoolteacher, has taken a leave of absence to provide full-time care for him. Their daughters have also stepped away from work, school, and college sports to help care for their father. Medical bills, household expenses, and end-of-life preparations have added significant strain to their lives. While the Hammons family is still standing in their faith and entrusting in His plan, they are seeking additional support from friends and family.

Although many have reached out and donated through Venmo, we would like you to consider coming together as a community, as friends, and as family, to support the Hammons family during this time. Your contributions, support, and prayers for their peace and comfort will mean so much.

If you would also like to donate to the CJD Foundation to further research and potentially help find a cure for this devastating disease, please visit cjdfoundation.org