Aaron Lazar’s Family Turns to GoFundMe as ALS Costs Top $300K a Year for Actor Who Has Lost Use of Arms, Hands and Legs

Broadway Star Aaron Lazar Faces Battle with ALS, Family Launches Fundraising Campaign

Aaron Lazar, a distinguished figure on the Broadway stage, is currently grappling with the devastating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disorder that has significantly impaired his mobility and respiratory function. As Lazar continues his fight against the illness, his loved ones have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the financial burdens associated with his medical care.

Since receiving his ALS diagnosis in January 2022, Lazar has faced a heartbreaking decline in his physical abilities. The disease, which affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, has rendered him unable to use his legs, arms, and hands. Consequently, he now requires a BiPAP machine to assist his breathing, alongside a full-time caregiver to support him throughout the day and night.

The GoFundMe campaign has aimed to raise $500,000 to cover the estimated $300,000 in annual costs for Lazar’s medical care, equipment, and specialised therapies. “Aaron’s ability to generate income for his family is severely limited. He needs help to stay in the fight,” reads the campaign message, highlighting the urgent need for financial support. With contributions from notable figures such as Andrew Rannells and Steve Kazee, the campaign has already managed to secure over $250,000 in donations.

This announcement about Lazar’s health comes shortly after he celebrated his 50th birthday on June 21, a milestone he marked with an outpouring of affection from friends and colleagues. On social media, he shared heartwarming videos of his friends serenading him with “Happy Birthday,” including a memorable performance by Josh Groban at Madison Square Garden.

Lazar is well-known for his roles in prominent Broadway productions including “The Light in the Piazza,” “A Little Night Music,” “The Last Ship,” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” Since his diagnosis, he has exhibited remarkable resilience and positivity, choosing to confront his situation with hope and determination.

In a recent conversation, Lazar reflected on the challenges he has faced since being diagnosed six months after he first noticed symptoms. “Once the diagnosis came, I made the decision: ‘I’m not living whatever life I have left afraid,’” he expressed. Living in Los Angeles with his fiancée, Nawal Bengholam, Lazar has aimed to embrace life fully despite the challenges posed by the disease.

His approach, he explained, is not to view ALS as an adversary to be vanquished but rather to focus on emotional, spiritual, and physical healing. “I’m passionately fighting for my life, I’m just not fighting the disease,” he stated firmly. By adopting this mindset, he hopes to appreciate all moments of life—both the highs and the lows.

Although Lazar acknowledges the toll ALS has taken on him, he feels that the experience has shifted his perspective on life in significant ways. “This disease has been a real opportunity to change things about myself,” he shared. “While the physical progression of ALS is terrible, I’m healthier and happier than I’ve ever been.”

As he faces the ongoing challenges that his illness presents, Lazar remains committed to living in the moment and gathering the strength to handle whatever comes next. “None of us know how much life we’ve got left. We can’t predict the number of moments we have remaining, and I don’t want to miss them,” he said, embodying a spirit of gratitude amidst adversity.

Remarkably, in his reflections on his condition, Lazar expressed a poignant sentiment about hope. “In the nightmare of ALS,” he concluded, “I’ve learned to dream again.” His journey highlights not only the struggle against a debilitating condition but also the power of love, community, and resilience in the face of life’s cruelties.