By FireRescue1 Staff
LOS ANGELES — Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres presented a donation of $50,000 to a Los Angeles firefighter battling ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Firefighter Eric Stevens, a former NFL player, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show with his wife Amanda on Monday, where he discussed his struggle with the disease.
A tearful DeGeneres surprised the firefighter by inviting members of his department to the stage, then presented him with the donation from Green Dot to help with his medical bills.
A fundraiser for Stevens will be held on Nov. 23, and DeGeneres has offered to support the effort, according to KNX 1070.
“First and foremost we want to raise money for Eric’s treatment,” said Steven’s cousin, Amber Stevens, an event production coordinator who organized the fundraiser. “We want to create a legacy event, something that Eric can put his name toward.”
Medical bills for advanced ALS patients can total more than $200,000 per year, including lost wages, according to the ALS Foundation.
Stevens’ appearance on the show comes a week after DeGeneres invited 10 California firefighters to the show to thank them for saving her home.