A larger chunk will be used to help cover the cost of medical bills and expenses yet to come as the Troy resident continues to battle the effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — a debilitating diagnoses better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Submitted
Dee Dee Bender, Stan's wife of 28 years, says those expenses will likely include a hospital bed and an eye-gaze system.
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“So when his voice is gone, he can still communicate with his eyes,” she said matter-of-factly.
The average life expectancy for those with ALS, a disease that kills neurons controlling voluntary muscles, is two to five years from diagnoses, according to the ALS Association.
Stan was diagnosed Dec. 1, 2016.
Despite the physical challenges that impact his speech and have led to the use of a wheelchair, Stan says his concerns are with his family.
Their happiness is why he sent a short note to Ellen DeGeneres in the first place.
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“Basically (the letter said) that I wanted to surprise Dee Dee and the kids with the tickets to the 12-day giveaway and why. They bend over backward to help me,” Stan said. “This disease is harder on them than it is on me so I was just wanted to do something special for them.”
Credit: NBC
Credit: NBC
To his surprise, Bender said Ellen’s team contacted him and eventually came to Troy to record a segment they said was for a special show about inspirational people.
In exchange for their participation, Dee Dee, Stan and their children Tag, Ireland and Madyson Bender were given tickets to go see an "Ellen" taping.
"We had no idea she was doing the three nights of giveaways," Stan said. "We just thought it was a regular show."
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The family found out 10 minutes before the fact that they were going to sit on the stage with DeGeneres, Dee Dee said.
A few minutes after they hit the stage, singer Justin Timberlake joined DeGeneres and the Bender family on the stage.
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Submitted
“I am not used to walking onto a show crying, but wow,” Timberlake told Stan Bender during the episode. “It is just an honor to be here with you. What an inspiration.”
A few minutes later, DeGeneres jokingly told Timberlake to go get her purse.
Stan and Dee Dee say everything about the experience was shocking and their family is still amazed.
“They did a good job keeping everything secret,” Stan said.
The couple said the response from their appearance on the final episode of the three-night series has been overwhelming in a good way.
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They have received text messages, calls and emails from all all around the world.
Credit: Submitted
Credit: Submitted
Many wonder what they can do to help.
“I want people to know that the caretakers and the family members are as affected as the person with the disease and also bring awareness of how terrible a disease ALS is,” Stan said. “We’re all in this together. It just tough, but keep a positive attitude and keep moving forward, and that’s what we’ve done.”
Dee Dee says she and her husband lean on their faith and upbringing.
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“We can’t change what has happened to us. The only thing we can do is move forward,” she said.
Through their journey, the Benders have worked to raise awareness and money to research a cure.
Efforts include the more than $10,000 the Bender kids raised with their ALS Pepper Challenge.
Stan and Dee Dee say organizations like the ALS Foundation, Team Gleason and ALS Therapy Development Institute need more support.
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“ALS is not an incurable disease,” Dee Dee said. “It is an underfunded disease.”
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