Support Steve’s Stem Cell Treatment

Please help the Long family cover the cost of Steve’s Stem Cell Therapy treatment that he will be receiving in Panama in November. All donations will be given directly to the Long family to cover all expenses needed to fund Steve’s treatment.

Hi my name is Andy and I met Steve when we were in college at Pitt Greensburg over a decade ago. We instantly became best friends and bonded over our love of physical activities. We were both honored to be each other’s best man in our weddings! We shared lots of laughs as we encouraged each other during our daily lifting sessions at the gym in college. Some of the greatest memories to reminisce about came when Steve joined us one year for my family’s skiing trip to Vermont. My dad, brother, and I took Steve down the steepest mogul run on the East Coast. Since Steve was still a novice skier, we were very proud that he successfully conquered Outer Limits at Killington! After our college lifting sessions ended, Steve continued to work on his health by going to the gym every morning before work.

Steve and Stefanie Long have a beautiful, loving family and are blessed with two little girls, Delaney and Molly, along with Griffin their good dog. The girls enjoy playing soccer and attending dance class. They also love playing with their cousins and friends!

Unfortunately, Steve can no longer do physical activities or experience family moments as he once did. He requires a walker and has balance issues that have been very challenging. He has 50% hearing loss in his right ear and has been experiencing muscle weakness in his eyes, which has been affecting his vision. He must close one eye to see clearly. The symptoms that Steve has been experiencing affect every aspect of his life.

With help from loved ones, Steve and Stefanie have been traveling to multiple doctors in search of answers for almost two grueling years. After countless amounts of tests, scans, and bloodwork, doctor’s at the Cleveland Clinic have diagnosed Steve’s symptoms as resulting from a rare paraneoplastic disorder, which is affecting his mobility and motor skills. It was discovered that his Cerebellum in his brain has been shrinking and the chance of improvement has not been clear. It was found that this very rare disorder is an immune response related to seminoma cancer which he previously had. Steve has been receiving Cytoxan to keep his immune system from attacking his body more but, unfortunately the Cytoxan will only suppress the symptoms, not help him get better.

After much research on the best option for Steve at this time, their family has decided for Steve to undergo Stem Cell Therapy treatments in Panama in hopes that it will prevent his Cerebellum from further shrinking and that it will aid in restoring control of his motor skills.

Please consider donating to help Steve and his family through this difficult time. We all will be forever grateful for your support, love and prayers!

With Love and Gratitude,

The Reuss Family