Seward, my cousin, was officially diagnosed with ALS in September at just 33 years old. Growing up, we shared countless Sunday dinners and spent long summer days swimming at our grandma’s pool. Seward has always been passionate about video games and cooking—he even followed his dream to work in the culinary world. Sadly, his diagnosis has taken away his ability to cook, and he’s no longer able to work. Despite these challenges, Seward remains incredibly upbeat. He’s started a YouTube channel to document his journey, hoping to help others—especially young people—who are facing the same diagnosis. You can follow his journey here: https://www.youtube.com/@cwrdALS. Even though we now live far apart, our phone calls remind me of his strength and positivity.

Seward’s diagnosis has brought a wave of new challenges. He needs support for living expenses like rent, utilities, and phone bills, as well as for medical equipment that will become necessary as he loses function. Home care is another growing need, and there may come a time when he’ll need to move to a facility or renovate his living space for accessibility. He’s also hoping to purchase a handicap-accessible vehicle to maintain his independence for as long as possible.

At the end of the day, this hits home because Seward and I are the same age. Most people diagnosed with ALS are much older, and he should have so much more life to live. A friend with ALS once told me the disease steals from him every day. I can’t imagine facing that, let alone the normal day-to-day struggles when you’re healthy. By helping relieve some of Seward’s financial burden, you’ll give him the chance to focus on living out his days to the fullest. Any support you can offer—whether it’s a donation or sharing his story—means the world to us. Thank you for helping give Seward hope in a hopeless situation.