Support Brent Anderson's Fight Against ALS

Hello family, friends, and caring strangers - our dear friend Brent Anderson has been diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function. Brent, his wife, and their four children could greatly benefit from our help as they brace for unforeseen out-of-pocket medical expenses, relocation costs, and potential impact to income as a result of disease progression. Daily life will be forever changed for the entire Anderson family as they adjust to life with this illness. Our hope is that we can come together to support this family through generous contributions, prayers, and positivity.

In Brent’s own words:

“ALS is not a common acronym, thank God, with most people (myself included) only associating it with Lou Gehrig, a famous baseball player for the NY Yankees in the 1930s who had it.

Like Lou, I am now suffering the devastating impacts of this disease.

In late March, I went to the hospital after feeling a noticeable change in my speech (my Dad also insisted I go; thanks, Dad!) and found it a bit more difficult to swallow my medicine. After a few days in the hospital and a lot of tests, I didn’t really have any more answers. Since nothing was coming up on tests, I had a good feeling this would just work itself out, but the neurologist, Dr. Savani, informed me that it could be ALS. At that point, I pulled up Google and started searching like crazy.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is still a terminal illness in our society, affecting 1-2 people per 100,000, fairly rare. There are two main variants: upper or bulbar onset and lower limb onset. The mean survival rate is 2-5 years. Bulbar onset affects the muscles in your throat, tongue, and upper body. Patients have fasciculations, or uncontrollable muscle twitches, constantly. Gradually, the accumulation of motor neuron death leads to muscle atrophy as the body runs out of motor neurons to run the voluntary muscle movements. There is no known cause at this time, and most studies are looking for biomarkers or clues to a cause.

I intended to wait until I was officially diagnosed to announce what I’m going through, but I am already beginning to lose my voice, and swallowing is more difficult. I don’t want to suffer in silence any longer while I wait for an MD to make a diagnosis.

My plan is to see Bjorn Oskarsson of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, to see what trials and treatments are available. My first appointment with him is June 30th. I am excited to work with him as he is dedicated to ALS and has made some significant contributions to the study of this disease.

ALS survivors have a saying: “no white flags.” I have no quit in me, but I am human, so I have been going up and down the emotional totem pole. The only thing I can do is take it one day at a time. The suffering is only mental, as the loss of muscles itself is painless; you just find out each new day if you lost something more.

All thoughts and prayers are welcome!”

Brent’s formal diagnosis was confirmed this past week on May 21st:

Bulbar onset ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) with Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

Brent is starting treatments in hopes of helping to slow progression while awaiting his first appointment with the Mayo Clinic at the end of June.

This treatment plan will require Brent, Heather, and their four young children, as well as their two beloved dogs, to relocate from the Tampa-area to Northeast Florida - a move which will come with relocation costs and other unforeseen expenses due to required changes to their medical insurance plan. The Andersons are currently facing an $8,000 out-of-pocket cost for an initial visit with the Mayo Clinic while they appeal an Employee Benefit’s decision regarding life-changing events - as though anything could be more life changing than the unexpected diagnosis of a terminal illness.

Brent is an amazing husband to Heather and a devoted and hands-on father to four young children, Emerson (8), Palmer (6), Beau (4), and Holden (4 months). Also beloved by his parents, sisters, brother-in-law, nephew, mother-in-law, extended family and longtime friends, Brent will never fight this battle alone. In spite of this support, a disease like ALS can be both devastating and isolating as it takes daily functions away.

Professionally, Brent is an esteemed manager and mentor to many colleagues in the financial services industry. After years spent building his career, becoming a true subject matter expert in his area of coverage, and supporting a global client, he is now faced with the difficult decision to step away from his role in management and eventually may be faced with ceasing work entirely. As the current sole breadwinner for his family of six, Brent’s inability to work in the future would result in tremendous financial stress on the Anderson family. However, this is stress which we can help to alleviate through our contributions and support.

True to Brent’s character, he has taken this diagnosis in stride with his primary focus on the well-being of his family and fighting this disease with every treatment available. With your help, our prayer is that we will all get to witness Brent DEFY THE ODDS and make meaningful strides in the treatment, and eventual cure, of this disease!

At a time when many of us who love this family so very much feel entirely helpless, one of the most significant ways we can find to offer our support is monetarily to ease the financial burden that accompanies a disease of this magnitude. Your generous donations will go directly towards medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, as well as essential costs like relocation, rent and utilities.

Thank you for visiting and reading about our incredible friend Brent, his beautiful family, and this battle that he will not fight alone. As we begin this journey to support our best friends through financial and other means, we are truly appreciative of your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes, and generous contributions.

Please know that even a “share” of this page could make a meaningful difference in the life of Brent and his family and we’re so grateful for any support you can offer!

Let’s help Brent DEFY THE ODDS!