Disc Golfer Battles ALS with Hope and Resilience

Rick Tortone is a man of many talents – he's a skilled musician, carpenter, industrial maintenance mechanic, avid fisherman, and accomplished disc golfer. But when he received his diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in March 2010, his life was turned upside down. ALS, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Initially, Rick felt helpless and unsure of what to do next. However, he quickly shifted his focus from despair to hope when he decided to seek treatment outside the United States. Despite the controversy surrounding the experimental treatment, Rick believes it's worth trying, especially since he didn't qualify for any clinical trials in the US due to the early stage of his disease.

Rick is currently undergoing an 8-week embryonic stem cell treatment in New Delhi, India, which comes with a hefty price tag of $40,000. The treatment isn't covered by insurance, so Rick's family and friends are working tirelessly to raise funds to subsidize the cost and support future treatments and services he'll require.

The Tortone family is rallying around Rick, including his loved ones – Charlotte, Eugene, Chris, Mike, Tom, and Carol. They're organizing fundraisers to help offset the expenses, with one event scheduled for July 24th at the Bayville Disc Golf Club in Virginia Beach, VA. Another fundraiser will take place on July 31st at Lendy's Cafe in Virginia Beach.

People can also make a donation online or by mailing a check to the Rick Tortone ALS Fund account at Bank of Hampton Roads. Every contribution counts, and it's a testament to the power of community and support during difficult times.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/member-needs-assistance