Cindy Dart
Welcome to My Fundraising Page
Event: | Northwest Arkansas Walk |
Date: | Sunday, June 9, 2024 |
Team: | Familial Fighters |
Why We Walk
UPDATE: After conversations with my loved ones and many prayers, I chose to have genetic testing to determine if I have the defective gene C9 orf72. On May 6, 2019 I received the test results. I learned that I DO have the mutated gene. While I might never develop the disease, I am all the vigilant in raising awareness, and raising funds to aid in research. My family NEEDS a cure.
Our family has been hit hard by this devastating disease. The maternal side of my family carries a defective gene which causes the familial form of ALS. As of this date our family has lost 5 members and there are others who already know they carry the defective gene. We NEED a cure!
My Mom was our most recent loss. I want to share some of my journal entries concerning the progression of the disease.
Mom's right hand started cramping and drawing up. She waved it at me and said, This is ALS. She knew it and deep in my heart I knew it too.
11-24-15 Appointment w/ Neurologist
12-4-15 We received the diagnosis we had feared so much.
Feb 2016 Using a cane.
April 2016 Left hand cramping
Oct 2016 Beginning to cough up stuff/tires easily
Nov 2016 Getting increasingly weak/has started falling
Jan 2017 Left foot dropping/can't stand long/coughing up mucus
Feb 2017 Losing mobility
Mar 2017 With a van full of medical equipment, we took her to her last Ladies Retreat
April 2017 Legs beginning to be severely affected
5-3-17 Cannot stand alone or get into vehicle
5-13-17 Mom fell in middle of the night, Dad gets up with her now
6-19-17 She choked on her thyroid pill (not good)
Family bought a handicap van and hospital bed to ease the struggle for Dad
8-3-17 Found out the new medicine won't help her, it only helps in the first stages
9-29-17 Left hand drawing up/getting weaker
October 2017 Admitted into HealthSouth. Overall health has deteriorated quickly/not speaking well/everything is a struggle for her/sleeps a lot
We waited until Mom was out of the hospital to have our family dinner and her birthday party. She enjoyed the cherry cheesecake so much. We opened her gifts for her, then we presented our group gift to her. We had each written a page in a book giving reasons we love her. We each had the blessed honor of reading our page to her.
She began getting low on oxygen so I told Dad to take her home and I would bring her gifts and the food.
I helped Dad change her and get her in the bed. I tucked her in, kissed her forehead and said I love you.
October 29, 2017, I was at worship and when I saw my daughter's face, my heart dropped. I called my sister and was informed that Mom had passed.
Mom met this disease with grace and faith. Either God would heal her or He would call her Home. Win/Win.
We were blessed to have such an amazing last day with her. We didn't have to face the feeding tube or other end of disease issues. She passed in her sleep, in her own home, in her own bed. Isn't that wonderful?
I am involved with ALS biomarker research that is funded through donations. We NEED definite, reliable testing. We NEED more than treatments for the symptoms, we NEED a cure!
So we walk. We walk to raise awareness, and to raise funds. We walk to honor those still fighting this disease and remember those who have passed on.
Will you join us? Walk with us or just donate. Every dollar counts.
Blessings to all, Cindy
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UPDATE: After conversations with my loved ones and many prayers, I chose to have genetic testing to determine if I have the defective gene C9 orf72. On May 6, 2019 I received the test results. I learned that I DO have the mutated gene. While I might never develop the disease, I am all the vigilant in raising awareness, and raising funds to aid in research. My family NEEDS a cure.
Our family has been hit hard by this devastating disease. The maternal side of my family carries a defective gene which causes the familial form of ALS. As of this date our family has lost 5 members and there are others who already know they carry the defective gene. We NEED a cure!
My Mom was our most recent loss. I want to share some of my journal entries concerning the progression of the disease.
Mom's right hand started cramping and drawing up. She waved it at me and said, This is ALS. She knew it and deep in my heart I knew it too.
11-24-15 Appointment w/ Neurologist
12-4-15 We received the diagnosis we had feared so much.
Feb 2016 Using a cane.
April 2016 Left hand cramping
Oct 2016 Beginning to cough up stuff/tires easily
Nov 2016 Getting increasingly weak/has started falling
Jan 2017 Left foot dropping/can't stand long/coughing up mucus
Feb 2017 Losing mobility
Mar 2017 With a van full of medical equipment, we took her to her last Ladies Retreat
April 2017 Legs beginning to be severely affected
5-3-17 Cannot stand alone or get into vehicle
5-13-17 Mom fell in middle of the night, Dad gets up with her now
6-19-17 She choked on her thyroid pill (not good)
Family bought a handicap van and hospital bed to ease the struggle for Dad
8-3-17 Found out the new medicine won't help her, it only helps in the first stages
9-29-17 Left hand drawing up/getting weaker
October 2017 Admitted into HealthSouth. Overall health has deteriorated quickly/not speaking well/everything is a struggle for her/sleeps a lot
We waited until Mom was out of the hospital to have our family dinner and her birthday party. She enjoyed the cherry cheesecake so much. We opened her gifts for her, then we presented our group gift to her. We had each written a page in a book giving reasons we love her. We each had the blessed honor of reading our page to her.
She began getting low on oxygen so I told Dad to take her home and I would bring her gifts and the food.
I helped Dad change her and get her in the bed. I tucked her in, kissed her forehead and said I love you.
October 29, 2017, I was at worship and when I saw my daughter's face, my heart dropped. I called my sister and was informed that Mom had passed.
Mom met this disease with grace and faith. Either God would heal her or He would call her Home. Win/Win.
We were blessed to have such an amazing last day with her. We didn't have to face the feeding tube or other end of disease issues. She passed in her sleep, in her own home, in her own bed. Isn't that wonderful?
I am involved with ALS biomarker research that is funded through donations. We NEED definite, reliable testing. We NEED more than treatments for the symptoms, we NEED a cure!
So we walk. We walk to raise awareness, and to raise funds. We walk to honor those still fighting this disease and remember those who have passed on.
Will you join us? Walk with us or just donate. Every dollar counts.
Blessings to all, Cindy
If you think this page contains objectionable content, please inform the system administrator.
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I've Participated in the Walk for 6 Years!
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Cindy's donors
joined the movement!
Mrs. Cindy Dart
$100.00
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