Lesley Robertson wanted to do anything she could to help a friend cope with the financial burden of Lou Gehrig's disease.

As a result, a bank account set up two years ago allowing Dan Dyck's family members to contribute to help cover expenses related to his illness has been opened up to the public.

Dyck's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, has progressed to the point the 30-year-old St. Catharines man has difficulty speaking, walking and even breathing. He will require increasing care as his condition progresses and costs of providing that care and purchasing assistive devices will rise in the coming months.

Robertson, a close family friend who once employed Dyck as a driver and his wife Christine as a dispatcher for her delivery service, wanted to set up an account on her own, but discovered the family already had one.

Robertson approached the family for permission to appeal for public donations. The family hadn't intended to do so, but the financial burden is increasing, so they agreed.

"I want to do anything I can do for them," Robertson said.

"My heart just goes out to them. I just can't believe this is happening to them," she said. "Somehow, they have to get help."

Dyck and his wife are both very private people and Robertson said it was difficult for them to ask for public assistance.

The couple has two young children -- two-year-old Mackenzie and seven-month-old Tristan.

Lou Gehrig's disease is one of the most financially draining diseases since patients are typically homebound. That requires many modifications to the home environment and lifestyle of the family. It is somewhat unusual to contract the disease at such a young age.

"There's just so much that Dan and I are going to need," Christine said.

Donations can be made to the account through any Niagara Credit Union branch. The account number is 5522255.

Copyright © 2002 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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