Michael Lehrer, a beloved comedian who was only age 44 years old when he died, succumbed to consequences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
It was 2017 when he first heard the news of ALS.
He has been the recipient of many heartfelt tributes (January 17, 2023). The 44-year-old comic was widely recognised for his work at Chicago’s Second City.
He was confined to a wheelchair due to his ALS, but it didn’t stop him from performing. His humour was concentrated on his illness, and his charming charisma remained unchanged. Back in 2014, when the ice bucket challenge became viral, you might have learned about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Keep reading to refresh your memory.
Comedian Michael Lehrer passes away from ALS disease, cause of death, age, wife, net worth in 2023
Colette Montague, his partner, claimed that he had decided to terminate his life with medical assistance. “Michael died with dignity on his own terms,” she added. “He was not suicidal at all… Medical aid in dying was the hardest decision he ever made.”
According to the official United States government website, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (abbreviated as “ALC”) is a rare neurological illness that attacks neurons in the brain and spinal cord. As the neurodegenerative nature of the disease suggests, the symptoms will worsen over time. Neuron death impairs the brain’s capacity to initiate and govern intentional muscular movement.
Also individuals gradually lose the capacity to move, eat, speak, and breathe as all voluntary muscles are impaired. There is presently no treatment that can slow or halt the progression of ALS, and no known cure.
Speed of ALS depends from person to person
Muscle stiffness or weakness are early indications, and the advancement rate varies from person to person. According to the American Association for the Study of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the median survival time is three years. Twenty percent of the population makes it through the first five years, ten percent make it through the first ten years, and five percent make it through the first twenty years.
X-rays, blood and urine tests, and muscle biopsies are just some of the at least seven techniques that doctors use to make a diagnosis. Most ALS patients are between the ages of 40 and 70 when they are diagnosed, however the average age at diagnosis is 55. However, it is also possible to develop in one’s twenties or thirties. Nearly 90% of instances occur for unknown reasons with no known familial or genetic link.
Michael Lehrer’s GoFundMe campaign raises funds
His partner of 30 years, Colette, started a fundraising page on Wednesday. The $15k target was completely blown over in just over 12 hours. As of this writing, Michael Heaton’s son, Colin Heaton, has raised $16,200.
Michael’s top priority, the monies will be utilised to help support Colin. Also when he passed away, “he wanted his son to be ok financially,” the document states. There are also two siblings, a father, and a stepmother left behind by the Kill Tony podcast listener.
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