Dear friends and family of Derek and Melissa,

We are reaching out to you to share some difficult news about our dear friend, Derek Gzaskow. He has recently been diagnosed with ALS ( Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). This devastating illness is greatly changing the lives of Derek and Melissa. They will need a lot of support.

After months of agonizing about what was wrong with Derek’s hands and arms, he was finally diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. From that moment they have bravely faced the changes they have to make. Melissa resigned from her job in order to care for Derek and they have begun selling their possessions to raise money for Derek’s care.

Derek and Melissa have always been a source of strength and positivity in the lives of our community. They themselves have gone out of their way to help friends, family and our Santa Fe community when in need. Now they need our help, love and support as they face Derek’s battle with ALS.

The financial burden of ALS can be overwhelming. Medical expenses, adaptive equipment, and home modifications can quickly add up. That’s why we’re setting up this GoFundMe, to help alleviate some of the financial strain and ensure Derek has access to the best care possible.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 to help with:

-Medical treatments and therapies

-Mobility aids and adaptive devices

-Home modifications for accessibility

-Support for daily living expenses.

Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. If you are unable to donate please consider sharing this with your people. Your support would greatly help in providing Derek and Melissa with much needed funds to ensure the best outcome for these two beloved people. Thank you for your kindness and support. Let’s show Derek and Melissa they are not alone in this very scary chapter of their lives.