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When through one man a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth come into the world, then that man's life has had meaning

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ABOUT US

Eric grew up in Des Plaines, a suburb of Chicago. He attended Orchard Place Elementary School, Iroquois Jr High and Maine East High School. Eric participated in sports, extracurricular activities and made many friends.

Upon graduating from Maine East High School he was accepted and decided to attend Northern Illinois University. There he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and was soon employed by Sears Roebuck & Company. As an employee he moved through the ranks and became a very respected systems analyst.

 

Eric's life sounds like a normal life many of us live, but it was different.

 

Eric suffered from Muscular Dystrophy, a type known as Duchenne and it is the deadliest out of more than 40 neuromuscular diseases that are known.

Eric lost many of his close friends in high school to the disease, but his spirit was never broken. Eric lived longer than most doctors diagnose because of his love for life.

The Eric Elias Foundation was created by friends and family whose lives were touched by Eric and they want his love for life to never be forgotten.

The foundation was established not to provide money for research, but to provide monetary funds to familes that are financially burdened by the disease. Building a ramp for a wheelchair to gain access to a home, a shower chair, a vehicle to transport a wheelchair or even a simple wheelchair cushion all cost money.

Many families have difficulties affording these essential items because of the additional medical costs associated with the disease.

The mission of the Eric Elias Foundation is to enhance and enrich the lives of those with Muscular Dystrophy.

ERIC ELIAS FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS

President Mike Jeffers and
Vice President Ann Elias Gehrke
Mike and Christine Jeffers
Ann Elias Gehrke and Paul Gehrke
Vice President Ann Elias Gehrke
and Co-chair of the EEF Dinner Dance, Kathy Borre
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