Goal:
USD $50,000
Raised:
USD $4,750
In fall of 2024 a high school friend, Brian Banasek, reached out to me to tell me some terrible news. My childhood friend, Darron Gillespie, had been diagnosed with ALS earlier that year and it was progressing more than anyone could have imagined for anyone his age. I was floored. Just barely over 2 years prior Darron heard I was moving to the Oregon coast after spending my entire life in AZ. Keep in mind that Darron and I had lost touch after our early 20's, then reconnected at our 30 year reunion in 2018. When I posted on social media that we were escaping the AZ heat in 2022 he reached out to me. He told me that he had some jet skis and wanted to take me out for a day before I moved away. Not only did we have a spectacular day, we had a serious bro conversation about all that had transpired over our lifetime. It was magical. At the end of that day we agreed to do it again whenever I came back to AZ. This was not even 3 years ago. To think that one of my best childhood friends was suffering from this destructive disease a couple years later was inconceivable. Darron kept this illness quiet for quite some time. He finally made an announcement a few weeks ago to the public. He is in bad shape. This once thriving stud of a man is now bedridden, paralyzed, on a ventilator, and feeding tube. Needless to say, his wife and daughter are devastated and could use some help. As I have been dealing with this personally, our high school friend, Liz Perrilo, reached out to me after reading Darron's post and suggested to me a crowd funding campaign to help his sweet wife and daughter with all that is to come. The simple fact is, we all go about our life thinking that all is well. We work, we save, we raise our kids to the best of our ability, we take trips, we create memories for our loved ones. Nobody ever thinks in a year's time all of that will be taken away from you. Please give if you can. Darron is a good dude. He's a good father and husband. Put yourself in his shoes. He is incapacitated and has a family. And I'm sure his humility would bother him that I'm saying all of this! Please help him and his family during his final journey on earth. Darron deserves it!
Thinking of you and your sweet family!
Praying for you and your family, Darron. ❤️
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
God bless you, brother.
Again, I'm so sorry you and your family are dealing with this. I hope this is helpful.
Sending you and your beautiful family all my love and positive energy.
Sending you and your family a massive virtual hug and luvs
Darron, thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Keep up the faith and stay strong!
Darren, I have been thinking about you often since you first shared about your dx. I went thru cancer treatment in '23 & '24 and there was a while there where I wondered if my 2 boys were going to have a mom for much longer. It's hard for me to read this bc it takes me back to that time. But you are facing it full time. I've read some cool stuff from people who've had NDE's. They might comfort you
❤️
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Prayers and Hugs to you and your family!❤️
Keeping you all in my thoughts! You know I love you!
I love you Darron! Always praying for you and your family ❤️
Best wishes to you and your family!
I love you Darron. I will be donating every 2 weeks when I get paid from work. Wished I could do more!
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