Kindness 2025: Firefighter and Former NFL Player Fights ALS with Family

A Journey of Resilience and Hope

Just a month after Eric and Amanda Stevens tied the knot on July 27, 2019, what was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives turned into a nightmare. Eric, a 29-year-old former NFL football player and firefighter, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This devastating diagnosis marked the beginning of an ongoing battle that has tested the couple’s strength, resilience, and love.

Eric had initially dismissed his symptoms—left-hand weakness, slurred speech, and muscle twitching—as signs of old football injuries or fatigue from his demanding job as a firefighter. However, after returning from their honeymoon, the symptoms worsened significantly, prompting them to seek medical attention. Diagnosing ALS is a complex process, as there is no single test that confirms the condition. Instead, doctors must rule out other possibilities, which can take months or even years.

When the diagnosis finally came, it shattered their world. “We were about to start our life together, and then we got hit with the news that we only had two to five years to live,” Amanda recalled. The couple faced a daunting reality: living with a disease that has no cure and is extremely expensive to manage. Medical equipment, accessible vehicles, and home modifications all add up, creating a financial burden that many families in similar situations face.

Despite these challenges, the community rallied around the Stevens family. In November 2019, they organized the “Fight for Hope” fundraiser at Seaside Lagoon in Redondo Beach, drawing over 4,000 attendees and raising nearly $500,000 for families battling ALS. The support continued to grow, and Eric’s story gained national attention, including features on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

In 2021, the couple founded the axeALS Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ALS research and support. The foundation hosts annual events such as the “AxeALS Beach Fest and Cornhole Tournament” on October 18 and a golf tournament on October 27, both aimed at supporting the fight against the disease.

The foundation has raised over $2 million since its inception, helping more than 10 ALS families with grants for essential expenses like accessible vehicles and bathroom renovations. It has also provided critical assistance to patients requiring travel between states due to their condition. For example, one patient was able to move from Connecticut to Mississippi with the help of the foundation.

The axeALS Foundation also partners with the Healy Center at Massachusetts General Hospital to provide experimental therapies to ALS patients through the “Expanded Access Protocol” program. This initiative, funded by a $486,000 gift from the foundation, has given 30 patients access to treatments that are otherwise unavailable.

ALS, named after legendary New York Yankees player Lou Gehrig, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. While around 10% of cases are genetic, Eric’s case is considered sporadic, with no known cause. Amanda suspects environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals during his career as a firefighter, may have played a role.

Eric’s journey has been filled with challenges, but he continues to fight. Six years after his diagnosis, he has already surpassed the life expectancy given by doctors. His wife, Amanda, remains hopeful, emphasizing the importance of clinical trials and innovative treatments like t-cell transfusions at UC Irvine. Although the treatment has not yet shown improvements, the couple remains committed to finding a cure.

With two young children, Peyton and Dean, the couple’s goal is to turn ALS from a terminal illness into a treatable condition. They believe that increased awareness, funding, and advancements in technology, such as AI, could accelerate progress toward a cure.

The upcoming AxeALS Beach Fest and Cornhole Tournament aims to build on the momentum of the 2019 event, with proceeds benefiting both the ALS community and the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighters’ Fund in Los Angeles. The event will feature live music, food, drinks, and a silent auction, offering a chance for the community to come together in support of a noble cause.

For more information about the axeALS Foundation and its initiatives, visit axeals.org.