Derek's ALS Army

Derek's ALS Army We’re facing ALS head-on — with courage, humor, and a whole lot of heart!

Welcome to Derek’s ALS Army💙
This page is a place to follow along with real-life updates, clinic days, challenges, victories, and the everyday moments that matter most.

🚨LAST DAY TO ORDER🚨
11/02/2026

🚨LAST DAY TO ORDER🚨

One day left for "Emotionally Invested."

For Derek McManus, ALS has changed mobility, communication, work and the amount of help required for everyday life. The campaign helps with the growing cost of that care.

Presented by Crosby's: https://26yw.co/invested-fb

It’s November 1st, which means it’s officially National Family Caregivers Month🤍We wanted to take a moment to give an ex...
11/01/2026

It’s November 1st, which means it’s officially National Family Caregivers Month🤍

We wanted to take a moment to give an extra special shoutout to our mom, Lesley!

When our dad was diagnosed with ALS, none of us could have imagined just how much our lives would change. Through every challenge, every difficult day and every new obstacle, our mom has been right by his side.

She has taken on a role that requires more patience, strength, love and sacrifice than most people will ever understand. She puts so much of herself into making sure our dad is loved, comfortable and cared for, often putting her own needs last.

Caregiving is a 24/7 job, and there are so many things she does behind the scenes that most people will never see. The long days, sleepless nights and countless sacrifices don’t go unnoticed, even when they go unspoken.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned through all of this, it’s just how powerful their love for one another truly is. Their marriage has been tested in ways no one should ever have to experience, but through it all, their love and commitment to each other have never wavered. We couldn't be more grateful to have grown up witnessing a love like theirs, and even more grateful for the example they continue to set every single day🤍

Happy National Family Caregivers Month to our mom and to all the incredible caregivers who give so much of themselves to the people they love!

We love and appreciate you so much, mom🤍

Last call for this opportunity to support Derek! Thanks to all for your support. Go Bills!!
10/31/2026

Last call for this opportunity to support Derek! Thanks to all for your support. Go Bills!!

One day left for "Emotionally Invested."

For Derek McManus, ALS has changed mobility, communication, work and the amount of help required for everyday life. The campaign helps with the growing cost of that care.

Presented by Crosby's: https://26yw.co/invested-fb

Huge thank you to Campbell Savona Central School District for the amazing Alumni Recognition! Such an awesome write up o...
10/27/2026

Huge thank you to Campbell Savona Central School District for the amazing Alumni Recognition! Such an awesome write up on a pretty special guy👏🏼

Our family was recently informed by the Friends of Camp Gorton that a generous donation was made by the Reif family that...
10/26/2026

Our family was recently informed by the Friends of Camp Gorton that a generous donation was made by the Reif family that will be used to erect a campsite pavilion in our dad's name. We are humbled and privileged by this surprising & exciting news!

Our dad grew up loving the outdoors. Scouting was a very important outlet for him to connect with nature, his peers, and adult mentors in his life. He led both of our Scouting troops at one time or another, and we made some of our best Scouting memories at Camp Gorton where we forged friendships that have lasted to this day.

We cannot thank the Reifs enough for their immense generosity. We look forward to seeing the pavilion's progress & completion, and hope that it will be a place where Scouts of all ages & their troop leaders can continue the Scouting tradition for many, many years to come!

“Emotionally invested since childhood” 💙❤️If you know our dad, you know he’s been a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan for as lo...
10/19/2026

“Emotionally invested since childhood” 💙❤️

If you know our dad, you know he’s been a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan for as long as anyone can remember! So when Michelle Leonis offered to reach out to 26 Shirts to create a shirt to support him, we couldn’t have thought of a more perfect design!

Not only does this shirt represent his love for the Bills, but it also supports him in his fight against ALS💪🏼

A portion of every shirt purchased will go directly toward our dad’s continued care. We are so incredibly grateful to 26 Shirts for making this happen and to everyone who continues to show up for our family!

Grab a shirt, support a great cause and GO BILLS! ❤️💙🏈

🔗 Shop here:

With every shirt purchase, you donate $8* to Derek McManus.* Provided campaign reaches 72 shirts sold, otherwise donation will be $4 per. This product is not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by the Buffalo Bills. Click here for a sizing guide, and here for information about our return policy.

Hello Army!We are holding a fundraising raffle for a chance at one of eight unique baskets! In honor of our dad’s 3-year...
10/16/2026

Hello Army!

We are holding a fundraising raffle for a chance at one of eight unique baskets! In honor of our dad’s 3-year diagnosis anniversary, we’re selling chances to help support him and his care and to win a great prize👏🏼

Tickets will be $20 for one or $53 for 3 to recognize his age at diagnosis and his 3 years of living with ALS💙

Each basket has been carefully chosen, based on our dad’s favorite things! All apparel and bags were graciously donated by Kabric’s in an effort to support our dad on his journey🫶🏼

To purchase raffle tickets, simply send your payment through Venmo, then comment on the raffle photo that you’re interested in! The drawing for all of the baskets will be on 11/14- Dad’s birthday!
( -McManus-1 on Venmo! )

Any funds raised will be utilized to cover the continued out of pocket costs for his care and treatment! Thank you all for your love and support throughout this journey- we couldn’t do it without you guys❤️

ALS DOES NOT WIN TODAY!

20 years ago today, Steve Gleason blocked a punt in the Superdome — a play that became one of the most iconic moments in...
10/05/2026

20 years ago today, Steve Gleason blocked a punt in the Superdome — a play that became one of the most iconic moments in Saints history.

20 years later, that play represents something so much bigger than football🤍

Steve turned the fight of his life into a fight for an entire community. Through Team Gleason, his advocacy and his determination to improve life with ALS, countless lives have been changed — and extended — through access to technology, equipment, resources, experiences, and support. Our family is just one of so many that has felt the impact of everything Steve has done.

So today, Dad is wearing #37 as the Saints take the field. Celebrating an incredible moment in football history, but even more so, the incredible legacy that followed⚜️🏈

ALS DOES NOT WIN TODAY!

Thank goodness, ACT for ALS has passed. Thanks for all the support!
09/29/2026

Thank goodness, ACT for ALS has passed. Thanks for all the support!

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Corning, NY
14830

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