Mission for Marcia: Fighting ALS
Donation protected
In January 2015, our dear friend Marcia Nachreiner was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, which is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. With no known cure for ALS, we hope to raise money to give back to her at least a small part of all she has given to us.
Marcia, a woman whose beautiful heart has touched all our lives, is the kind of person who is always there for others. Even now, stricken by a disease which has stolen her strength and independence, she continues to inspire those of us lucky enough to be family or friend.
ALS a costly disease. Patients have increasing needs as their bodies weaken. Costs for Medical insurance, therapy and equipment add up quickly. A few facts about ALS – 5000 people are diagnosed/year, patient has a 2-5 year life expectancy, only one drug is currently approved by the FDA for ALS extending survival only several months, $250,000 is the estimated out of pocket cost for caring for a person with ALS and there are zero effective treatments currently for ALS
Shortly after being diagnosed with this terminal disease Marcia was no longer able to work and lost her health insurance. As “In Home Care” is about to begin, which is not covered by insurance, we want to be sure she is taken care of, the way she has taken care of so many others. Just another reason we are asking for your support.
Please consider supporting the Mission for Marcia Fund. We appreciate any donation you are able to contribute to help Marcia and her family in their time of need. No matter what, we will fight by her side as we continue to hope for a cure for ALS.
"Love Each Other While You Have Each Other"
Signed, the family and friends who lead the Mission for Marcia
Here are some thoughts about Marcia shared by her two sons, David and Daniel, and her cousin JoAnne:
From David:
My mother was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. In this short time her progression has been rapid. It has taken away the basic human functions that we take for granted everyday such as walking, grasping objects, standing, talking and many more intimate parts of her life. Looking at her, you can notice the physical changes that this awful disease is causing. But what you don’t see is something that isn’t physical. It isn’t on the surface. This disease may be robbing her of her physical abilities but it has not and will not take her drive, her fight, her sturdy resilience to stand tall and mentally tackle ALS head on. She refuses to let it. The spirit and faith that my mother possess shakes me to my core. It is so amazing to watch her fight this disease and keep a smile on her face all day. Watching her and being there for her strengthens me.
I struggle everyday with my faith, wondering why this horrible ailment has fallen on my mother’s shoulders. But being with her, watching her faith and love only grow stronger, rejuvenates me. Just as she has my entire life, she continues to teach me new things everyday. I am a better man, husband, and person because of this woman. When I start to lose hope, when my faith starts to falter, I realize that God has truly blessed this world for giving us a mother like her and my faith is restored.
···
From Daniel:
When I was young I remember watching my mom cook. As I got older, cooking was something my mom and I bonded over.
Recently she was diagnosed with ALS. Having ALS means that my mom can no longer stand in the kitchen or use her hands the way she used to. She has been unable to cook the meals that brought us together as a family for years before. However, this has not stopped us from spending time like we used to, it has only changed it. Instead of her doing the preparing, it is me. Now when we cook, she sits and instructs, passing all of her knowledge to me. Not knowing how much time we have left, it is here in the kitchen with her that is most important to me. It is not only our time to cook, but to talk, laugh, and even cry. It is these memories that I will cherish forever.
···
From her cousin JoAnne:
My dear cousin Marcia is more like a sister to me than a cousin. We grew up in a very close Lebanese Family where our Mothers were sisters. We have shared so many great memories as a family not to mention the love that we were blessed with. We have carried on many of the family traditions through the year’s especially cooking Lebanese food for many of our relatives and friends. I wanted to share a bit of our background because Marcia has been the leader of these beautiful family traditions.
Marcia has given to so many people in need. God blessed her with generosity, love and willingness to help others in so many ways. I do not know why God has chosen to challenge Marcia with this disease but I have faith that he will guide her through this obstacle. I pray every day for a miracle. In the meantime I hope you will consider donating to help this beautiful person inside and out. Your generosity will help her function daily which we at times take for granted."
Marcia, a woman whose beautiful heart has touched all our lives, is the kind of person who is always there for others. Even now, stricken by a disease which has stolen her strength and independence, she continues to inspire those of us lucky enough to be family or friend.
ALS a costly disease. Patients have increasing needs as their bodies weaken. Costs for Medical insurance, therapy and equipment add up quickly. A few facts about ALS – 5000 people are diagnosed/year, patient has a 2-5 year life expectancy, only one drug is currently approved by the FDA for ALS extending survival only several months, $250,000 is the estimated out of pocket cost for caring for a person with ALS and there are zero effective treatments currently for ALS
Shortly after being diagnosed with this terminal disease Marcia was no longer able to work and lost her health insurance. As “In Home Care” is about to begin, which is not covered by insurance, we want to be sure she is taken care of, the way she has taken care of so many others. Just another reason we are asking for your support.
Please consider supporting the Mission for Marcia Fund. We appreciate any donation you are able to contribute to help Marcia and her family in their time of need. No matter what, we will fight by her side as we continue to hope for a cure for ALS.
"Love Each Other While You Have Each Other"
Signed, the family and friends who lead the Mission for Marcia
Here are some thoughts about Marcia shared by her two sons, David and Daniel, and her cousin JoAnne:
From David:
My mother was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. In this short time her progression has been rapid. It has taken away the basic human functions that we take for granted everyday such as walking, grasping objects, standing, talking and many more intimate parts of her life. Looking at her, you can notice the physical changes that this awful disease is causing. But what you don’t see is something that isn’t physical. It isn’t on the surface. This disease may be robbing her of her physical abilities but it has not and will not take her drive, her fight, her sturdy resilience to stand tall and mentally tackle ALS head on. She refuses to let it. The spirit and faith that my mother possess shakes me to my core. It is so amazing to watch her fight this disease and keep a smile on her face all day. Watching her and being there for her strengthens me.
I struggle everyday with my faith, wondering why this horrible ailment has fallen on my mother’s shoulders. But being with her, watching her faith and love only grow stronger, rejuvenates me. Just as she has my entire life, she continues to teach me new things everyday. I am a better man, husband, and person because of this woman. When I start to lose hope, when my faith starts to falter, I realize that God has truly blessed this world for giving us a mother like her and my faith is restored.
···
From Daniel:
When I was young I remember watching my mom cook. As I got older, cooking was something my mom and I bonded over.
Recently she was diagnosed with ALS. Having ALS means that my mom can no longer stand in the kitchen or use her hands the way she used to. She has been unable to cook the meals that brought us together as a family for years before. However, this has not stopped us from spending time like we used to, it has only changed it. Instead of her doing the preparing, it is me. Now when we cook, she sits and instructs, passing all of her knowledge to me. Not knowing how much time we have left, it is here in the kitchen with her that is most important to me. It is not only our time to cook, but to talk, laugh, and even cry. It is these memories that I will cherish forever.
···
From her cousin JoAnne:
My dear cousin Marcia is more like a sister to me than a cousin. We grew up in a very close Lebanese Family where our Mothers were sisters. We have shared so many great memories as a family not to mention the love that we were blessed with. We have carried on many of the family traditions through the year’s especially cooking Lebanese food for many of our relatives and friends. I wanted to share a bit of our background because Marcia has been the leader of these beautiful family traditions.
Marcia has given to so many people in need. God blessed her with generosity, love and willingness to help others in so many ways. I do not know why God has chosen to challenge Marcia with this disease but I have faith that he will guide her through this obstacle. I pray every day for a miracle. In the meantime I hope you will consider donating to help this beautiful person inside and out. Your generosity will help her function daily which we at times take for granted."
Organizer
Brandi Sharratt
Organizer
North Tonawanda, NY
