Our Family’s Journey Through Huntington’s Disease and Tragedy

After years of caring for family members suffering from Huntington’s disease and cancer, our family is now facing overwhelming basic living expenses, debts, legal costs and future expenses.

Thank you for visiting the Lundgren family GoFundMe page.

For my whole life, my family has spent significant time caring for loved ones suffering from devastating illnesses, including Huntington’s disease and more recently, cancer. Through it all we tried to carry the burden quietly and faithfully as a family. But after the loss of our parents and a tragic accident that left my brother Jason paralyzed and fighting for his life for over a year, the emotional and financial weight has become more than we can carry alone. With humility and gratitude, we are asking for help during this incredibly difficult time.

In late 2017, Christine and I moved from Syracuse to Long Island to care for my parents. My father, Bob, was battling a rare cancer connected to his volunteer work in Manhattan after 9/11, and my mother, Olga, was in the late stages of Huntington’s disease.

Huntington’s disease is a devastating genetic disorder that destroys brain cells and gradually takes away a person’s ability to move, speak, think, and regulate emotions. My mother’s grandmother, father, and brother also suffered from this disease. Our family knew she would not receive the care and attention she needed in a nursing home, so we committed to caring for her at home.

During this time, my brother Jason was already experiencing the early emotional and neurological effects of Huntington’s disease, which made it difficult for him to maintain steady employment. My father supported him until my dad passed away the following year. Christine and I continued caring for my mother around the clock until she passed in late 2020. My sister Laura was also diagnosed with Huntington's disease the year before my mom passed.

After her passing, we helped Jason pursue medical evaluations so he could qualify for Social Security Disability. Even after receiving benefits two years later, his financial situation remained difficult due to years of unstable work caused by the disease. Meanwhile, our sister Laura’s Huntington's Disease condition was progressing even more rapidly. We helped her seek medical care whenever possible, but two years ago she also developed a serious illness and significant vision loss on top of advanced Huntington’s disease.

Then tragedy struck again.

In January 2025, Jason was hit by a car while crossing the street near his home. The accident caused a severe spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed in both arms and hands and bedridden due to intense leg spasms. He endured constant pain and spent the next 13 months in and out of hospitals undergoing surgeries and fighting infections. During this time, Christine coordinated his complex medical care.

Despite everything he endured, Jason never lost his kindness. He always made people feel welcome and was constantly thanking and encouraging those around him.

Huntington’s disease brings enormous emotional, physical, and financial strain on families. The weight of these challenges has been overwhelming, and we are now facing significant financial needs including basic living expenses, debts, legal fees, and future expenses.

We know many people are facing obstacles of their own, and we are deeply grateful for your kindness in simply taking the time to read our story. If you feel moved to help, any contribution or share of this page would mean more to our family than words can express. Your prayers, compassion, and support are a true blessing to us during this time.