Supporting Jeanne's Journey with ALS
Donation protected
Jeanne’s first symptom of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, was in 2013 when she noticed a problem with her left foot and ankle dropping. It wasn’t until 2017 when her symptoms worsened that she sought a medical opinion and learned she has a motor neuron disease. She was originally diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), a progressive degenerative disease, but after participating in clinical studies which have given her increased access to expert care and further consultation, she was re-diagnosed with the slow progressing form of ALS. This devastating disease shuts down body functions while leaving the mind intact, and currently there is no cure. Due to the disease's nature, Jeanne developed difficulty talking and swallowing, and as a result was suffering from malnutrition. She was admitted to hospital in September 2019 where she received a permanent gastric feeding tube. Jeanne is currently in a rehabilitation facility receiving physical and occupational therapy and has begun bolus feeding through the feeding tube. When the medical team judges she is ready, she will transfer to an assisted living facility.
But Jeanne is not letting ALS define her. As a mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and community advocate, Jeanne's gift is compassion, and she continues to persevere by spreading optimism and goodwill wherever she goes. She has dedicated her life to service, beginning with volunteering in high school to teach English to migrant workers. Jeanne received a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and began work as a social worker, including in the Watts area of LA during the 1965 riots. She later completed her postgraduate work in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. She enjoyed a very active life and after raising two strong daughters, she re-entered the non-profit sector as a fundraiser, first at Hope Services and later at Family Giving Tree, where she worked for 13 years until the progression of ALS forced her to retire. In 2017 when her symptoms advanced, she was forced to reduce her hours 12 to 16 hours per week and thus has depleted her savings. Despite this devastating disease, Jeanne is a fighter and is grateful for every day she has with her beloved family, especially her sweet granddaughter.
Surrounded by love, Jeanne's greatest need right now is financial resources to support her daily living in an assisted living facility. Her medical team and family expect it to be one to two years before she will have to be subsequently moved to a skilled nursing facility, at which time a combination of insurance and family support should cover her needs. Until then, her family anticipates her monthly living costs will be at least $6000/mo for the care and support that she currently requires. Insurance, social security, and family contributions will only meet about half of her need. That means she may need as much $72,000 to live over the next two years as she fights this awful disease. We are starting small by seeking to raise a fraction of this total anticipated cost.
As Jeanne knows from her many years of fundraising, every gift makes a difference, and she is extremely grateful for your generosity. No matter your ability to contribute, please keep Jeanne, her family, and her caregivers in your prayers.
Note: Kimberly Clabaugh Adinolfi , Jeanne's eldest daughter, will be managing the funds on Jeanne's behalf.
But Jeanne is not letting ALS define her. As a mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and community advocate, Jeanne's gift is compassion, and she continues to persevere by spreading optimism and goodwill wherever she goes. She has dedicated her life to service, beginning with volunteering in high school to teach English to migrant workers. Jeanne received a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and began work as a social worker, including in the Watts area of LA during the 1965 riots. She later completed her postgraduate work in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. She enjoyed a very active life and after raising two strong daughters, she re-entered the non-profit sector as a fundraiser, first at Hope Services and later at Family Giving Tree, where she worked for 13 years until the progression of ALS forced her to retire. In 2017 when her symptoms advanced, she was forced to reduce her hours 12 to 16 hours per week and thus has depleted her savings. Despite this devastating disease, Jeanne is a fighter and is grateful for every day she has with her beloved family, especially her sweet granddaughter.
Surrounded by love, Jeanne's greatest need right now is financial resources to support her daily living in an assisted living facility. Her medical team and family expect it to be one to two years before she will have to be subsequently moved to a skilled nursing facility, at which time a combination of insurance and family support should cover her needs. Until then, her family anticipates her monthly living costs will be at least $6000/mo for the care and support that she currently requires. Insurance, social security, and family contributions will only meet about half of her need. That means she may need as much $72,000 to live over the next two years as she fights this awful disease. We are starting small by seeking to raise a fraction of this total anticipated cost.
As Jeanne knows from her many years of fundraising, every gift makes a difference, and she is extremely grateful for your generosity. No matter your ability to contribute, please keep Jeanne, her family, and her caregivers in your prayers.
Note: Kimberly Clabaugh Adinolfi , Jeanne's eldest daughter, will be managing the funds on Jeanne's behalf.
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather M
Organizer
San Jose, CA
Kimberly Clabaugh Adinolfi
Beneficiary