<div>Before his diagnosis, the world was theirs to own. Cecil and Grace, a vibrant couple full of momentum and possibility. Grace was ready to launch her nursing career in earnest. Cecil was growing into real leadership at his incredible company. They were at the peak of their earning capacity, beginning their family, and building a beautiful life together. Then in June 2025, Cecil was diagnosed with ALS, as Grace was pregnant with their first child. Lizzy was born that fall, and Cecil has been fighting for his family ever since. But no one's finances plan for ALS.

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<div>As a result, Cecil and Grace made the brave and humbling decision to launch a GoFundMe last year to help support his medical needs. Your generosity during his first year post-diagnosis was life-sustaining for Cecil and Grace, in the most literal sense, and our family will never be able to fully express what that has meant. Because of you, Cecil is here for Year 2. So here we are again, to ask for support for the coming year, one which will be exponentially more challenging. Cecil, Grace, and Lizzy need this community. We are asking, with so much hope, that you will continue to sustain them.

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<div>The Year 1 funds were raised with the hope that they'd last. That Cecil and Grace would have time to adjust, to find a pace. It didn't go like that. His illness progressed shockingly quickly. Within six months he was on a ventilator and in a wheelchair full time. Two months later, his bulbar symptoms began – the swallowing and speech difficulties that mark a harder stage of the disease. He is now wheelchair-bound with no use of his arms or legs, limited neck control, and his independent breathing function is below 10%, requiring full-time support from a non-invasive ventilator. He can still swallow solid foods but increasingly is struggling with liquids. His next step is a feeding tube (surgery is scheduled for July 14, which necessitates 24/7 care afterwards) and potentially a tracheostomy after that.

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<div>Frankly, what we hoped would carry them through several years with part-time care instead went toward meals, increasingly specialized care for longer hours, respiratory and medical equipment, wheelchair-accessible transportation to endless appointments, and so much more. They were barely surviving. But they are surviving – because of you.

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<div>So here we are, at the end of Year 1, and our goal for Year 2 (July 2026 - June 2027) is $575,000. This number is staggering but the math is real: round-the-clock, trained caregiving alone is estimated at $50/hour in Chicago (roughly $36,500 per month, more than $438,000 per year) before medical equipment, respiratory supplies, transportation, insurance gaps, and the family support Grace needs as she cares for both Cecil and Lizzy. It feels like an insurmountable number. But we’ve never seen a person quite like Cecil, or a community quite like his. He is why we pray every day for the privilege of coming back to you, year after blessed year.

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<div><strong>What we’re raising funds for:</strong>

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<li>24/7 professional in-home caregiving

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<li>Feeding tube placement and tracheostomy preparation

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<li>Specialized medical equipment

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<li>Ongoing respiratory support and supplies

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<li>Transportation to medical appointments

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<li>Family support so Grace can care for Cecil and Lizzy

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<li>Costs not covered by insurance

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<div><strong>If you’d like to see more of Cecil’s story:</strong>

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<li><strong>[May 2026]</strong> CBS Chicago news feature on Cecil's diagnosis and journey → <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn0Z0cr45Zw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Part One</a>  and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbERXyNerBY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Part Two</a> 

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<li><strong>[April 2026]</strong> Watch Cecil’s keynote speech introducing his doctor (Dr. Coleman), the 2026 Les Turner Foundation ALS achievement award recipient → <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e70IUmHzRNc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gala speeches</a>  and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B4ejoNflpc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cecil’s extended remarks</a> 

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<li><strong>[January 2026] </strong>Watch the Les Turner Foundation highlight Cecil’s story → <a href="https://youtu.be/youdWTBfcVs?si=4uvfPyv5lwYYgXkp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LTF feature story on Cecil</a> 

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<li>Follow Cecil's day-to-day journey on CaringBridge → <a href="https://www.caringbridge.org/site/f3424ddb-6d8b-11f0-80f5-713cf407d6c0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cecil’s CaringBridge site</a> 

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<div>Cecil has met every part of this cruel fight with unwavering kindness and eternal optimism. He leads with love and faith, and his quiet strength is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. Your support – whether a donation, a share, or a prayer – means more to this family than words can say. Thank you for standing with Cecil, Grace, and Lizzy.

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<div>Thank you and God Bless,

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<div>Bess Puvathingal (Cecil's sister), on behalf of Cecil &amp; Grace

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Anonymous

Michael Szanto

Subin Mathew

Melissa Sorrell

Benjamin Hedrick

Joel Ratajack

Cary Harnett

Brett Hamrick

Geneviève St-Yves

William S McKinney IV

Sal Mineo

Nelvia Bullock

Patricia McWain

Barthélemy Dupont-Madinier

Grace Lee

Year 2: Supporting Cecil’s Fight Against ALS

Year 2: Supporting Cecil’s Fight Against ALS

Still $441,596 to go. Help us build momentum.