Reason to Hope: Dan Marlow ALS Fund

While great strides in understanding the illness have been made in recent decades, ALS remains an incurable disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Essentially, the brain's ability to control muscle movement slowly deteriorates, causing a person to lose his or her ability to eat, move, speak, and breathe.

While the American ALS Association  reports that it usually strikes people between the ages of 40 and 70, it can—in very rare circumstances—occur earlier in life...

In a heartbreaking moment on April 24, 2018, at the young age of 31, my older brother Dan Marlow  was diagnosed with this horrifying sickness. His ability to speak, breathe, and walk have all already begun to erode. For those who know him and have experienced the joy of his spontaneous humor and quick wit, the thought of seeing him turn the corner in a wheelchair, supported by speech and breathing machines—in stark contrast to his usual dance-like flurry of energy and smiles—is simply incomprehensible.

Dan, true to his nature, has remained hopeful and wants everyone to share in the hope he continues to bring into the world. Hope, however, is only part of what he and his family truly need in this difficult time. While no cure exists to halt or cure ALS, there are trials and recent technological advances enable people to maintain some quality of life. 

Dan, and his amazing wife Ashley Marlow , have had to come to grips with an extremely harsh reality: Dan will not live the long and full life they once thought they would share and it will cost everything to ensure he can enjoy the precious time he has left with us.

Given that this disease is so incredibly technologically-intensive, Dan and Ashley need all of our help now. Here are some examples of the costs they are immediately faced with:

1. $17,000 for a speech-generating device and programming that will allow Dan to continue communicating with his loved ones.
2. $10,000+ in existing medical bills and credit debt required to cover recent medical examinations, treatment, and appointments.
3. Several thousand dollars for basic, although immediately necessary, home improvements such as ramps and bathroom retrofitting to accommodate Dan's disability.
4. Several thousand dollars to pay for in-home care assistance.
5. Thousands of dollars for mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters.
6. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost wages over the next several years as Dan cuts back on work.

In spite of these dire circumstances, DAN CONTINUES TO FIGHT. He fights by continuing to hope and engaging in "positivity fitness." He is hopeful every single day that he will see a friend or member of his family. He is hopeful that, at any given moment, he will be touched by nature, a good meal, or new sound. I am SO inspired by my brother's courage and I take some solace in knowing how much brighter my life—and this world—is because of him.

I am asking that you find it in your heart to help give back some of the joy that Dan has shared with the world. The incredibly expensive life-giving technology that exists today is only a first step. However, without ALL of our support, he will never have the opportunity to even take the starting line. Please join me in supporting Dan and his family as they continue to fight and hope.

Please donate today.




For those who cannot or prefer not to donate online, we have established an account at STCU and named it the “Daniel Marlow Benefit Fund.” If you’d like to contribute to this account directly, you may:

1. Write a check to Ashley Marlow or myself;
2. Write a check payable to “Daniel Marlow Benefit Fund” and mail it directly to STCU, P.O. Box 1954 Spokane, WA 99210;
3. Transfer funds online via STCU’s online banking system. You can use either Dan’s phone number or enter the 10-digit account number 2002422943. Use "Daniel Marlow Benefit Fund" in the name field;

Any of Dan’s immediate family members can also answer any questions you have about this process.