peggy fort

Peggy Fort is President and CEO of California Marketing Concepts, a Newport Beach based full-service marketing and public relations firm. For over 20 years she has helped to promote restaurants, non-profit organizations, and local businesses, representing high profile clients, such as the City of Newport Beach, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the OC Marathon, Starbucks Coffee Company, McDonald’s Restaurant and over four hundred restaurants and small businesses.

A big part of her business philosophy has been to give back to the community by organizing, participating, and financially supporting charity events. Peggy feels this is one of her biggest accomplishments. It makes her so happy to be able to help others. Peggy’s long-standing commitment to her community was recently recognized by the State of California when Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris named Peggy the 2021 Woman of Distinction for the City of Newport Beach, where she resides.

In 2021, at age 54, Peggy began having difficulty running and walking and was diagnosed with ALS. Peggy has always been a great athlete. In her youth, Peggy was a pre-elite gymnast and an NCAA National Champion Springboard Diver. Prior to diagnosis, she ran 23 marathons as a charity runner – all of which was to raise money for cancer research. Throughout her career, she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for many worthwhile charitable organizations and always prioritized giving back to the community.

Despite the diagnosis, Peggy remains courageous and hopeful, and grateful for her faith, which guides her through the difficult times. As explained by Peggy: “The day I was diagnosed was the shock of my life. I have always been so healthy and full of energy. Life is much more of a challenge now. I have always loved a challenge and am determined not to let ALS define my life.”

Peggy is much-loved and supported by her family and friends in Chicago, Orange County, and beyond.

Ed stevens

I was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. During that time I was actively working and involved in father activities with my wife and two young teenagers. I noticed a lack of strength when climbing ladders at work and performing home projects. My hand dexterity was worsening making typing and tying knots difficult. I asked my doctor about possible Carpal Tunnel issues, and he raised concern with the loss of muscle mass in my hands. I was referred to Neurologists, and after multiple tests diagnosis with ALS.

I was told my chance of living beyond two years was 50/50, a devastating prognosis. Plans to see my children graduate High School looked dim, and any ideas of active recreational travel during retirement were ended. It became less safe for me to work and I was forced to retire.

I continue to work to beat the odds against my survival and every day of ALS progression adds new challenges for me and my wife, challenges for my caretakers and physical therapists.

hyla marlene peroutka

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. During my freshman year at Penn State University, I majored in Journalism with a minor in Theater Arts. During that year, my father was transferred to Los Angeles. I then applied to UCLA and was accepted as a Junior. I got jobs working for three teen movie magazines. I interviewed some of the most famous rock stars including Sonny & Cher and Gary Lewis, and others such as Dick Clark.

Upon graduating from UCLA, I returned to my writing career covering news for the Calendar Section of the L.A. Times. When my new husband and I moved to Orange County, I started writing for the entertainment section of the Orange County Register.

Then two children arrived! When our son was five, he stated repeatedly that he could do better than the kids on television. So, we tried it. He got an agent, and true to form he was right! When our daughter turned five, she also declared she was an actress. She is a very successful actress in television, stage, movies, and commercials. I became a full-time show-business mother running her kids from interviews, callbacks, and bookings. Because of my contacts, knowledge, and experience in and of show business, I was advised to become a personal manager to child actors

I developed a quite successful business and when my daughter graduated from UCLA, she joined my business as an equal partner. We also were paid as Judges to interview children for acting and modeling schools around the U.S. and Toronto, Canada.

When the pandemic hit, the competitions between acting schools ended. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with ALS. The net result of this disease was that I turned my quite successful business and acting classes over to my daughter. This was a business and a job I loved!

Presently, I have lost the use of my feet and legs and am starting to lose the use of my arms and hands. I am in the process of choosing a caregiver to help me at home.

Thank you very much for your assistance and much needed grant.

chris mehess

I'm Chris and was diagnosed in August of 2015 with ALS. I was an extremely active person throughout my life with surfing being a huge passion. I knew something wasn't right when I started having trouble standing on a surfboard and walking became strenuous. Months of various tests confirmed what we already expected. The diagnosis was devastating news for our family. Our son was only 4 and our daughter was 1 at the time. Unfortunately, the disease has progressed faster than we had expected. I am now confined to a wheelchair and the daily tasks of speaking and breathing independently continue to become difficult. 

I'm a fighter. I have no intentions of letting this disease get me down and will continue to fight. A huge thank you to Trish’s Angels for the grant. I cannot express how much it has helped our family provide the required care needed.

daniel aguilar

My name is Daniel Aguilar, and I'm 62 years old. I'm married with two children and three grandkids. Before I became sick I was an avid outdoorsman. I especially loved camping, fishing and hunting. Now, I can no longer walk, and I have a hard time talking or swallowing.

My journey began at age 50, when I noticed my left arm was a little stiff. As time went on it progressed to my left leg. Doctors feared it might be ALS, but I went for another opinion at the muscular dystrophy association clinic at UCI. They put me through a couple of tests and landed on a condition called primary lateral sclerosis, which is in the ALS family, but progresses more slowly.

Now that my disease has progressed I require more care. I truly appreciate every grant Trish’s Angels has provided. 

John little

My name is John Little. I'm an Aquarius and like long walks on the beach.  All kidding aside, I am an Orange County native and the oldest of three.  I have two sisters that live near by.  Once a nationally ranked triathlete, I gave it up to marry my beautiful wife, Shannon, and start a family. I have two awesome sons who love extreme sports. My family and have logged many hours at the beach and skate parks.  Before retirement, I was involved in structural engineering as a project manager and have designed and built skate parks all over the US, recently completed the Metro EXPO line in Los Angeles, and broke ground on the controversial Metro Purple line that runs under Beverly Hills.

The diagnosis of ALS has been a blessing and a curse. I  enjoy the handicap perks. But, losing the ability to communicate verbally has been quite an adjustment.  My faith is strong as I am fighting this disease.

JIM TREADWAY

Born in Arizona in 1968, I was raised in Saratoga, CA. After high school I attended UCLA, then moved to Orange County, where I met my wife at her cousin's birthday party. We were avid scuba divers, travelers and outdoor enthusiasts until I began struggling with what we thought were "back issues" in 2007. For years doctors were unable to diagnose the problem, and my quality of life slowly deteriorated. In 2015 I was finally diagnosed at the age of 47 with ALS.

My wife and I are proud parents to two children, Sydney age 6, Emma age 2. As a computer programmer for a small company I have been trying to work from home, but the challenges are making this increasingly more difficult. 

Our entire family is praying for a cure and has deep gratitude to Trish's Angels and their donors for their support. The physical, emotional and financial strain caused by this illness is immense and it is only with the help of a village that families like ours are able to wade through this journey.

Hans Pfeffer

I was born in Germany in 1954, and migrated to the United States the next year courtesy of the United States Air Force. Like many immigrants, my family’s dream was to come to America because they believed that the streets were “lined with gold” and you can be whatever you want to be. We settled in Norwalk, CA.

I found the love of my life, Sandra Califano in 1975 and we were married in October 1977. At that time Sandra had two girls, Lisa 4 and Colleen who was 14. I worked in the aerospace and manufacturing arena until my retirement in 2012.

My ALS symptoms began to emerge in late 2009, when I kept tripping while on vacation in Las Vegas. The tripping became worse as the months went on. In February of 2010 I made an appointment to see my doctor. Months and many tests later, I was diagnosed with ALS.  My reaction was like an out of body experience. I told myself that it can’t be true, they made a mistake or maybe they have someone else’s chart.

My life changed quickly, but not in regard to my family. To this day they support me 110 percent and I couldn’t ask for anything more. On weekends, my wife and I go to San Diego or Palm Springs to just get away. Soon after my diagnosis I joined the Orange County ALS chapter support group and truly appreciate the wonderful people we’ve met and their continued support. Right now I’m able to work, but the disease is making it more difficult for me to do so. Although I may have to quit my job, I certainly won’t give up on life. I love my wife and my family and am very lucky to have them.

Mario G. Aquino

I came to the U.S. in 1966, where I built my family and raised four wonderful children. I worked for more than three decades as an auto body specialist, and also spent ten years serving as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor.

I began to notice that I was slurring my words, having a difficult time writing and was feeling very weak in general. I was eventually diagnosed with ALS and other neurological problems, for which I am currently in treatment. Since my diagnosis I have lost more than 80 pounds and feel especially weak in my arms and hands. I am grateful for all of the support I’ve received, although I am worried about the length of illness that I am facing, and the fact that there is no cure for ALS. 

Chris Pickens

My life growing up in Costa Mesa and Corona Del Mar was rich in adventure and discoveries. As Huck Finn types, my neighborhood buddies and I explored abandoned shacks and sewer tunnels, climbed redwood fences barefooted, jumped off roofs and built underground forts.  However, all that creative energy changed when I was 8 years old and my dad walked out of our lives. To add insult to injury, our house burned down a few short months later. The remarkable composure exhibited by my mother of four children taught me some valuable lessons on how to cope when life changes in an instant. Her calm, quiet strength served me well when my greatest challenge arrived 29 years later.

 In August, 1994 I was diagnosed with familial ALS. As a husband and a father of four young sons I applied my mothers' wisdom and chose to pursue the purposes of life even in the midst of a terrible struggle. I decided to eliminate fear and replace it with the power of love. With my life impacted and influenced by my Heavenly Father, life began to have more meaning, purpose and fulfillment. Regardless of the circumstances, this is a life I choose. This is the eternal life I am heading to.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us the spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-control.

KEITH JONES

My name is Keith Jones, and I was diagnosed with ALS at age 46 in the fall of 2014. The journey toward a diagnosis was long and there were a few wrong turns along the way, but in the end all that was left on the table was ALS. My symptoms began slowly in the summer of 2011, and include muscle cramps, weakness and twitches in my upper and/or lower parts of my body, clumsiness, difficulty breathing, speaking, weight loss and the reduced muscle mass.

I have been married to the love of my life, Heather, for 15 years. We have a beautiful, caring, happy, loving and enthusiastic 8 year old daughter, named Madisen. Madisen is aware that Daddy will not be going to work anymore and has trouble breathing and problems with his muscles, but at this point that is all we are prepared to share with her. When I first started using the ventilator, she was scared and cried, but now she is so used to it that she comes in and wakes me up in the morning by helping me off with my mask and turning off the machine. She is our pride and joy and she inspires me every day. 

My daily activities are getting tougher day by day as my symptoms become more severe. I had to stop working full-time, and I am no longer able to volunteer at Madisen’s school because I am just too weak. Everyday activities, like putting on gloves, pulling zippers and putting Madisen’s hair in a ponytail have become a big struggle. These are simple things that we hardly notice and take for granted until they are taken away. 

My family helps so much, and I'm so grateful for everything that they do. In a way, I'm very lucky because we have all grown closer and do not take anything for granted. We cherish every day that we have together and are blessed to have this time to share, love and grow together on this journey, whatever it may be. 

KIET PHAM

I would like to take this opportunity to first say thank you so much to Trish’s Angels for the grant. The funds will greatly improve my ongoing struggle of getting ready to face the day. I am 51 years old, and was diagnosed two years ago with ALS. Before the disease struck I was a very independent and active person, who exercised daily, surfed and enjoyed many other outdoor activities. A single dad of two boys, ages 15 and 18, I especially loved going camping with my children. Although they don’t live with me full-time, the boys have been an outstanding support system whenever they are not in school. In that way I feel blessed that my disease has progressed slowly. At this stage I have pretty much lost the use of my arms, and simple tasks like bathing and brushing my own teeth have become a struggle, plus I am unable to feed myself unless I have help from my children. My legs are starting to become stiffer and it is difficult to hold my head up because of the weakness in my neck muscle. Although this is a terrible disease I still have a very positive attitude and take life one day at a time, so that I can enjoy that time I have left with all my loved ones.  

KELLEY PATTERSON

Kelley Patterson was a wife and mother of two beautiful daughters living with ALS. In January 2009, her health began to deteriorate. This was not only a lifestyle change for her family; it was the beginning of a new journey in life. Five years into her illness, she was 100% dependent on her family. Between camping trips and her girl's school activities, she enjoyed life to the fullest. 

Blanche spruengli

Blanche was a loving and loyal partner, mother, and friend. She was born to Mary Walker Spruengli and Hans Spruengli in the Philippines on September 3, 1945. She graduated from St. Paul College (Class of ’66), in Manila and came to the United States in 1967. She first came to stay with her Uncle and Aunt in Long Beach, California and continued to reside in Southern California throughout the remainder of her life. Blanche was involved in the travel industry her entire career and loved to travel which allowed her to see many different parts of the World. Her favorite activities were dancing, gardening, and throwing parties for friends and family. She was very sociable and a loyal and true friend, which resulted in an exceptionally supportive network of family and friends. She was an extremely positive spirit who, following her diagnosis in 2010, remained positive throughout, despite the many complications resulting from this terrible disease. Blanche is survived by her partner of 30 years, George Hatley and two children: Michael Gamboa (and wife Audrey Alvarez) and Kristine Bonsall (and husband Andrew) and four grandchildren: Elijah and Mekhi Gamboa and Jaxson and Sofia Bonsall. She is also survived by four siblings: Lina Himes and Hans, Ralph, and Richard Spruengli.

johanna hendrika van egmond

Johanna was born in The Hague, Netherlands to Roelof and Jannetje van Egmond. She and her sisters, Corrie and Diek, all survived World War II. Johanna left home at the age of 17 to begin a lifetime of travel visiting every continent but one. She worked and lived in Lourdes and Paris, France, then on to Lucerne, Switzerland. In 1957, her next adventure took her to Australia, where daughters Ruby and Gigi were born. The family immigrated to the USA in 1967. Johanna loved children and enjoyed a teaching career for over 50 years, including 25 years as the owner of Carousel Pre-School in Long Beach, California. She loved her family, reading, the beach, the gym and her garden. Her great sense of humor kept everyone laughing. She leaves behind her daughters Ruby (Ken) and Gigi (Dave); grandchildren Spencer, Haley (Joe), Alyse and great grand-child Sienna; best friend and sister Diek and brother-in-law Wim Schippers; brother -in-law Ruut van Zanten; nephews and nieces in Holland, England and Australia; friends in Long Beach and thousands of children who attended Carousel Pre-School. Her family and friends are all so happy to have enjoyed so many wonderful hears and such great memories. To a live well lived!

JIM DANIELLE

Jim was born and raised in Burbank, California. He worked in the aircraft industry until retirement. Jim was an avid bicycle rider, camper and fisherman. Jim was diagnosed with ALS in January, 2013 after experiencing weakness in his legs and arms for two years prior. Despite his disease, Jim still enjoyed life. He appreciated all the time spent with family, including his granddaughters. Jim was blessed with many great memories. 

JEFF BROWN

After graduating from law school and successfully passing the bar, Jeff started a law career in April of 2014. After noticing weakness in his leg playing basketball, he was diagnosed in July of 2014 with ALS. Unfortunately, this disease has run rampant in his family with Jeff being the twelfth member to have gotten the disease. At only six months from first recognized symptoms, Jeff was almost completely paralyzed but still had use of his voice. He was completely dependent on his mother’s care and being a big guy, it is a lot for anyone to undertake. Trish’s Angels helped fund some additional care to give his mother a break.