REDONDO BEACH, CA — When former NFL player Eric Stevens was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at just 29 years old, a doctor told him he had just a few years to live.
It came as a shock to Stevens, who had just married his college sweetheart a month before and was working as a firefighter in Los Angeles at the time.
"What they told my husband was 'you have two to five years to live, go check off your bucket list," Amanda Stevens, Eric's wife, told Patch. "My husband would not take that for an answer. He wanted to do everything to extend his lifespan."
To help raise awareness and funds for the challenges ahead, the Stevens family hosted the first AxeALS event in 2019 to raise awareness and funds for treatment. That turned into the axeALS foundation, which Stevens and Amanda formed to help others battling the disease.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the couple will host their 2nd axeALS Beachfest and Cornhole tournament to continue helping other families who are going through a battle they're all too familiar with.
"I think one of the toughest things, you're not only facing the disease but the financial toll that it takes on the family," Amanda said. "It all adds up, and very, very little is covered by insurance."
Eric Stevens during his time as a firefighter. (Courtesy of Amanda Stevens)
Eric Stevens during his stint with the Rams. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Stevens)
Oftentimes, Amanda said, a family member has to quit their job and stay at home to be that person's caregiver. Homes and cars also have to be remodeled to make them more accessible.
"That means so much to us that we’re now able to help other families going through this. It's a great cause," Amanda said. "Just being able to help families that go through that and just trying to take that weight off their shoulders to help with those stressors, it really means a lot to us."
The October event will be hosted at Seaside Lagoon (200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach), with tickets starting at $30 for general admission and $60 for admission that comes with "swag." There is also a $300 entry fee for teams looking to participate in the cornhole tournament.
Greg Browning, a South Bay surfing legend who passed away earlier this year after a battle with ALS, will also be honored at the event.
"A lot of times we ask why this is happening, why did Eric get sick at such a young age?" Amanda said. "But it's a positive to be able to help other families going through this."
Since the diagnosis in 2019, Amanda has been helping Stevens through his battle with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It affects nerve cells and causes muscles to weaken over time, affecting a person's ability to speak, swallow, or move.
There is no known cure for ALS. There are, however, alternative treatments to help make a person more comfortable and hopefully prolong their lifespan, according to Amanda.
Through those alternative treatments and support from his family and community, Stevens has surpassed all expectations, according to Amanda.
"My husband is nowhere near ready to give up," Amanda said. He’s here to fight for our family, our kids, for me and everyone going through this."
To buy tickets for the axeALS Beachfest or to donate to the foundation, click here.
Eric and Amanda Stevens with their two children. (Courtesy of Amanda Stevens)