Aug. 6, 2014 is a day the Hatch Family will never forget. The day Frank Hatch, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, was diagnosed with ALS. Those words you will never forget, the tears that will come, the scared times ahead, the learning to be had, the many whys. You have two choices: Choose to accept the diagnosis and learn everything you can about the disease; or choose to do absolutely nothing. Frank chose to accept it and live life to the fullest with all the changes that were yet to come. His first symptoms started in his hands which hurt and were unable to open fully. The next symptom was his foot dropping and having a hard time walking. There is no cure for this disease but it was always Dad’s goal to help find a cure by participating in clinical trials or spreading the word about the disease. Even if he couldn’t live long enough to find a cure, he always wanted his family to keep trying. Even though he was so strong this disease took so much from him. Every month, week, day, hour and then down to seconds, the disease changed his body, until it took his life away. It was the most painful thing for a family to watch. Frank passed away April 24, 2018 and to this day the family still wants to live out his goal -- to find a cure.
Every 90 minutes, another American is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a terrifying, heartbreaking illness. Over the course of the disease, people with ALS gradually lose all voluntary muscle movement and most eventually die from respiratory failure. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 2-5 years.
ALS is a disease that devastates bodies. But it also devastates families. The average out-of-pocket cost to care for an ALS patient from diagnosis until death is over $250,000. Most patients need at least 3 wheelchairs, a hospital bed and numerous other machines and equipment. Your home must be made wheelchair accessible which means no stairs or at least ramps. For many families that means finding a new home. Treatment, medical equipment, in-home care and other costs can lead people with ALS and their families to bankruptcy.
Money donated to Uncorked! this year will be used primarily by the local chapter to continue its care programs, which include loaner services for wheelchairs, hospital beds, communication devices, and other desperately needed medical equipment not covered by insurance; in home visits by our trained care services staff; and financial grants to help ALS families in need. In addition, donations will help fund support groups throughout Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Montana for not only patients but also their families, including children and teens. A portion of the money will also go to our National Office to fund research to find a cure for this horrific disease.
This is why we need your help.
The Hatch Family
Pasco, WA
