Support Douglas Hanson’s Battle with ALS

My name is Douglas Leroy Hanson, and for over 30 years, I have dedicated my life to caring for others. Since 1994, I have served as a nurse, finding my greatest joy in supporting the elderly and working alongside my dedicated colleagues. Now, I find myself in the difficult position of asking for the same kind of support I have spent my career providing.

A Life Rooted in Family and the Outdoors

In 2004, I married my wife, Jennifer, and stepped into an "instant family" with her three boys: Andrew, Isaac, and Mitchael. Though we endured the tragic loss of Isaac in 2006, our family has grown in beautiful ways. Today, Mitchael and his wife, Lilly, have blessed us with three wonderful grandchildren—Kayden, Nyla, and Raya—who are the lights of my life.

Those who know me know that my heart belongs to the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest. Whether I’m fishing for steelhead and salmon in the Puget Sound, foraging for wild mushrooms in our local forests, or digging for razor clams on our beautiful Pacific beaches, I have always found peace in nature.

The Challenge Ahead

About two years ago, I began experiencing persistent numbness and tingling in my left hand. After a long series of tests with specialists and neurologists, I received the devastating news in December 2025: I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Currently, there is no cure. I am undergoing treatment at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, focusing on therapies and medications designed to slow the progression of the disease and manage the symptoms.

How You Can Help

As a result of this diagnosis, the road ahead is filled with uncertainty. While I focused my life on service, I find myself without the retirement savings necessary to cover the mounting costs of specialized care, travel for treatment, and the daily needs that arise when living with ALS.

I am reaching out to our community to ask for help in making the "finish" of my life a little brighter. Your donations will go directly toward:

Medical expenses and specialized medications not covered by insurance.

Travel costs for frequent trips to Seattle for treatment.

Quality of life adjustments to ensure I can spend as much comfortable time as possible with Jennifer, my children, and my grandchildren.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with your network. Every bit of support, whether financial or through a prayer and a share, means the world to my family and me.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and for standing with me in this fight.

God Bless,

Douglas Leroy Hanson